UK's Largest Vape Chain VPZ to Remain Open During the Pandemic
VPZ, the UK’s largest vape chain, said it would stay open during the pandemic and called on the government to treat vape retailers as essential to prevent smokers from returning to cigarettes.
The UK's largest vape chain has vowed to remain open during the coronavirus crisis to prevent former smokers from reverting to smoking and urged the government not to close vape retailers during lockdown.<\/span><\/div>
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VPZ, which has 155 stores across the UK, stated that the UK must follow the example of countries like Italy and Spain to ensure that vape shops are included in the list of essential businesses allowed to continue operating during a full lockdown.<\/span><\/div>
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The Edinburgh-based organization expressed that if former smokers relapse due to an inability to purchase vaping products, they may face severe complications from Covid-19.<\/span><\/div>
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VPZ stated that this could place unnecessary additional pressure on the NHS.<\/span><\/div>
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If the vaping industry can continue to operate in some way, shape, or form, allowing vapers to purchase their products, we will do our utmost to help alleviate the pressure on the NHS.<\/span><\/div>
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Scientists and health experts have warned that smoking increases the risk of severe illness from coronavirus, as smokers already have compromised lung defenses and may have existing lung conditions.<\/span><\/div>
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A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop severe stages of coronavirus.<\/span><\/div>
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Doug Mutter, VPZ's Director of Production and Compliance, stated: “We know we have many elderly customers, many of whom cannot stockpile large amounts—we do not want them to have no choice but to start smoking again because that is what they can access.<\/span><\/div>
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“If the vaping industry can continue to operate in some way, shape, or form, allowing vapers to purchase their products, we will do everything we can to help alleviate the pressure on the NHS.”<\/span><\/div>
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The company is taking additional measures to help protect its 450 employees from coronavirus infection by increasing cleaning efforts in stores, removing all testing devices and sampling equipment for customers, and introducing customer limits in stores.<\/span><\/div>
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