Imperial Brands calls for retailer licensing scheme to tackle youth access to vaping

Imperial Brands, the company behind the blu vape brand, has called for establishing a new retailer licensing scheme to improve compliance.

Responding to the UK government’s call for evidence on youth vaping, the FTSE 100 company has outlined a set of policy proposals designed to raise standards and drive out rogue operators.

The proposals also include:

• Review flavour naming conventions to limit youth appeal;
• Strengthen the regulations for online advertising and promotion;
• Raise product quality and safety standards to ensure adult smokers can feel confident about transitioning to vape products;
• Work with industry to increase support to local authorities to tackle non-compliance.

“Government, industry, and enforcement authorities must work together to create a regulatory framework which both supports the important role vapes can play in helping adult smokers quit and prevents the appeal and access of these products to under 18s,” Oliver Kutz, general manager UK and Ireland at Imperial Brands, said.

“We are proposing a series of measures to address product standards, flavour and naming regulations, and the retail environment. An integrated, multi-pronged approach is needed in order to drive out irresponsible actors and improve trust in this important product category.”