UKVIA Launches 'Stay Vape Alert' Campaign, Urges the Public to Report Illegal Retailers

The UK e-cigarette industry has launched the "Stay Vape Alert" initiative, urging the public to report illegal sales of e-cigarettes to minors. A study shows that law enforcement teams need more resources to address the issue of minors accessing e-cigarettes.

According to a report by UK media Betterretailing on December 19, the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) recently launched a new initiative urging retailers, consumers, and the public to report points of sale that sell e-cigarettes to minors, as well as non-compliant retailers and wholesalers. This initiative, named "Stay Vape Alert," has the support of the Trading Standards Office, ACS, and the wider retail industry, aiming to tackle the issue of youth vaping.

According to UKVIA, the "Stay Vape Alert" initiative is designed to mobilize compliant retailers. This new research from compliance company Arcus Compliance shows that local law enforcement teams need greater resources to address the issues of youth access to e-cigarettes and illegal product sales.

ACS CEO James Lowman commented: "The sales of e-cigarettes to minors remain too high, and we need to refocus on this issue. Retailers selling to children are often also selling illegal e-cigarette products. Responsible retailers want to see high standards of enforcement, and this reporting mechanism will help identify irresponsible businesses, allowing Trading Standards officers to concentrate resources on them."

CTSI Chief Officer Kate Pike stated: "The Trading Standards Office fully supports this initiative and hopes it effectively encourages people to report retailers selling e-cigarettes to children or those that are counterfeit or non-compliant with UK regulations. Most retailers strive to ensure they only sell to adults, so we welcome any intelligence that can help us enforce against violators."

UKVIA has established a new online platform for reporting non-compliant retailers and wholesalers, requiring the name of the store, location, and details of suspected activities.

UKVIA Director John Dunne added:

"Individuals under 18— or those who do not smoke— should not use these products. It is absolutely unacceptable for unscrupulous retailers to put e-cigarettes in the hands of minors and stock illegal goods."

He reiterated the importance of consumers, compliant retailers, parents, teachers, and the general public staying vigilant and proactively reporting any suspicious illegal activities.

UKVIA also provides a range of downloadable materials that responsible retailers can display in-store to encourage the public to play a key role in combating illegal retailers and wholesalers. All promotional materials for the "Stay Vape Alert" initiative include a QR code that links back to the online reporting facility.

Dunne added: "The only way to stop youth vaping is to find the root of the problem— those merchants who intend to act illegally and want to evade the law. We need as much help as possible from those who wish to earn an honest living from e-cigarette sales and the public who care about the welfare of children."