UKVIA’s annual Forum to focus on accelerating action for smoke-free world  

The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has announced that its annual Forum and Industry Recognition Awards Dinner will take place at the QEII Centre in London on Friday, November 10.

The event attracts C-suite executives from the global vaping sector, retail leaders, parliamentarians, regulators, environmental and public health professionals, academics, think tanks and investors.

“We’ve been doing lots of talking about addressing the key issues facing the industry and we’ve proposed wide ranging initiatives to government and regulators related to youth vaping, environmental impact and the rise in the illicit trade,” John Dunne, director general of the UKVIA, said.

“Now we have to accelerate this action. This will be the main focus of our event this year in order to achieve the ultimate goal of a world without smoking. In doing so we will be hearing from experts and sharing best industry practice to ensure the sector can be the best it can be. This is crucial for the industry to continue to thrive, and to be responsible and sustainable going forward.”

The event will feature a number of key sessions including ‘Taking Harm Reduction to a New Level’; ‘Out with Illegal Vape Sales’; ‘Acting on the Greenprint for Sustainable Vaping’; ‘Victory to Vaping – Changing Public Perceptions’ and the ‘Retail Future of Vaping’.

Further, it has been confirmed that Secretary General of the China Electronic Chamber of Commerce Ao Weinuo will be giving a keynote presentation on China’s commitment to change.

Also included on the conference agenda is a dialogue on ‘Getting ready for the General Election in 2024’, which will explore how the industry should prepare for a possible change in government and will ask how we retain the existing ‘parliamentary momentum’ around vaping.

Dunne said: “We have, and I’m confident will continue to, make significant strides in putting forward the harm reduction benefits of vaping on the political front, but it’s no secret the landscape could soon shift and we need to be prepared.

“That is why our session on the General Election, as with the other scheduled talks, is so critical. Our industry is defined by its ability to adapt, innovate and look ahead, which will prove incredibly important as we enter the next chapter in the vaping’s evolution.”

Following the Forum, the UKVIA will host its annual Industry Recognition Awards dinner.

Dunne said the awards are time to recognise the ‘outstanding contributions and achievements’ of individuals and organisations both inside and outside the industry.

“The coveted UKVIA Industry Recognition Awards creates an opportunity for the industry to come together as a sector and celebrate its incredible successes,” he said.