UK Vaping Policy Seen as Superficial, Experts Call for Stronger Enforcement to Reduce Illegal Produc

Experts from the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) believe that the UK's current vaping regulations are active in legislation but weak in enforcement. Furthermore, the government's ban on disposable e-cigarettes may lead to a flourishing illegal market due to insufficient enforcement.

[Two Supremes reported from Seoul] On the afternoon of September 19, at the 2023 GTNF forum, Two Supremes interviewed Mark Littlewood, an expert from the IEA in the UK. Mark believes that the UK's current vaping regulations are active in legislation but weak in enforcement. Additionally, the government's ban on disposable e-cigarettes may lead to a flourishing illegal market due to insufficient enforcement. 

It is understood that the IEA is an educational charity and one of the UK's earliest free-market think tanks, established in 1955. On September 12, the think tank published an article titled "Disposable vape ban could cost lives," where the author stated, "Banning disposable e-cigarettes will limit the choices of millions of adult smokers who could benefit from switching to disposable e-cigarettes." 

Mark Littlewood | Source: GTNF 

As the Director General of the IEA, Mark is puzzled by the UK's plan to ban disposable e-cigarettes. He believes that although the UK has enacted a series of laws regarding e-cigarettes, the enforcement is far less vigorous than the frequent legislative changes. 

He pointed out that people have always been able to easily access illegal vaping products, reflecting the issue of weak enforcement. In stark contrast, the enforcement against underage drinking in the UK is relatively good, with almost no one under 18 able to legally purchase alcoholic products. 

Similar views were expressed in the aforementioned article:

"E-cigarettes are lifesaving products and can only be legally sold to those over 18. We do not ban apple cider because some teenagers drink it. We do not ban 18+ movies because some teenagers watch them. We ban smoking, not because some teenagers smoke." 

Mark told Two Supremes that the UK government should focus more on the enforcement of the vaping market rather than just controlling it through new regulations. He pointed out that only by strengthening enforcement can the circulation of illegal vaping products be effectively reduced, ensuring the legality and safety of the market.