New pilot project to tackle underage vaping launched in Tunbridge Wells

A new initiative to address underage vape sales has been launched on Friday in Tunbridge Wells as part of a Local Vape Action (LVA) pilot project.

Local Vape Action is a partnership approach to tackling vaping issues at a local level. It brings together local authority partners as well as the vape sector via the Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA), to identify and target specific areas.

The pilot, a collaboration between Kent Trading Standards, Kent Police, Kent Community Safety, public health representatives, and the IBVTA, aims to combat illegal underage vape sales through targeted action and engagement.

“We welcome the opportunity to work alongside responsible retailers and the Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA) with the introduction of the pilot project ‘Local Vape Action’ in Tunbridge Wells,” Clair Bell, Kent County Council cabinet member for community and regulatory services, said.

“This is a positive additional step to the work we are already doing and will contribute to raising compliance and creating a level playing field. The LVA project will enable a complementary approach, combining the trade and regulators to focus on providing a more robust support network to the retail sector, reducing the confusion around products that can be sold, and strengthen the safeguards to ensure children are not sold any device.”

Cllr Astra Birch, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council cabinet member for housing & communities, added: “I’m really pleased Tunbridge Wells is at the forefront of this initiative and I’m grateful to Kent County Council for running the pilot in our busy town where there are a lot of outlets selling vapes.

“Aside from the health benefits that will come from a better understanding around the use and sale of vapes, there are huge sustainability issues with single use plastic and the batteries they contain. I hope to see a broader roll-out of the programme following a successful pilot project here in Tunbridge Wells.”

The three-month pilot will involve a series of activities, including retailer engagement and compliance checks, to ensure that vaping products are only sold to adults. More than 80 vape retailers in Tunbridge Wells will be visited by trading standards officers to assess their compliance with age-verification policies and product regulations.

The findings from this pilot will inform the rollout of a national LVA initiative planned for 2025.

Gillian Golden, chief executive of the IBVTA, said: “The launch of the Local Vape Action pilot in Tunbridge Wells provides an excellent opportunity to bring collective knowledge and expertise together to deliver on a comprehensive programme of action to tackle the well-documented issues that undermine a responsible vape sector. We are therefore delighted to be working with partners from across Kent in delivering this first pilot project and take those learnings forward into the development of the national LVA.”

Mike Martin, MP for Tunbridge Wells, has voiced his support for the project.

“Bringing together regulators and local authorities, to address this issue head-on, is crucial to ensure retailers are operating responsibly and meeting their legal obligations. It represents a vital step in protecting our young people and fostering a safer, healthier environment for all residents of Tunbridge Wells,” Martin said.

“I look forward to seeing the positive impact this pilot will have and hope it sets the standard for similar projects across the country.”