RELX International: Flavored Vaping Products Are Key to Helping Adult Smokers Switch

Today, on April 26, news from foreign media reports that RELX International states that flavored e-cigarettes play a key role in helping adult smokers quit smoking—reducing the negative health impacts of inhaling combustible tobacco.

This insight was shared by the e-cigarette company after the UK government announced it would provide free e-cigarette starter kits to one million smokers through a swap-out program.

The current NHS guidelines indicate that e-cigarettes allow adult users to inhale vapor instead of smoke, effectively helping adult smokers quit, as this vapor is far less harmful than combustible tobacco.

Chris Aikens, RELX International's Manager of External Affairs for Europe, welcomed the e-cigarette swap program and supported further efforts to address the issues of illegal e-cigarettes and sales to minors.

The newly established £3 million “Illegal E-Cigarette Enforcement Team” will focus on combating the illegal sale of e-cigarettes to children under 18, led by the Department for Business Standards.

In addition to supporting these initiatives, RELX International emphasized the important role flavored e-cigarettes play in helping adult smokers quit.

Aikens warned that banning certain flavors would only hinder adult users from making the switch.

He stated: “We support measures to prevent and deter minors from using e-cigarettes and urge manufacturers and retailers to comply with existing laws prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes to children under 18.”

“As outlined by the NHS and the UK government, all evidence indicates that e-cigarettes are an effective tool to responsibly help adult smokers transition from cigarettes to e-cigarettes.”

“Therefore, a ban on certain flavored products will only prevent adult smokers from switching to next-generation devices, which have been proven to be less harmful than smoking and are an effective alternative for those seeking substitutes.”

Aikens noted that it is crucial for adult smokers seeking to transition to receive relevant support and guidance, including information on reducing the risks associated with e-cigarettes.

According to Aikens, as part of this, it is important to inform adult smokers how flavored e-cigarettes can facilitate the transition from combustible tobacco.

Previously, King’s College London recently published an independent report commissioned by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, which found that the harms of e-cigarettes are significantly lower than those of smoking. The report added that adult users transitioning from cigarettes to alternative next-generation products would greatly reduce their exposure to toxic substances.

RELX International stated that it ensures its products are not designed, marketed, or sold to minors by refusing to use marketing strategies that may appeal to young people (such as cartoons or terminology).

Aikens said: “Preventing e-cigarette products from being misused is a challenge that manufacturers and retailers must face. Compliance is the minimum standard; however, we believe that going beyond compliance, especially in youth prevention, is the way forward.”

“For retailers, this means taking appropriate measures to mitigate the issues we face, such as implementing stricter measures to comply with the law and prevent the sale of e-cigarette products to this consumer group.”