A recent study suggests that selling vapes in plain packaging could help reduce their attractiveness to children. Researchers from UCL and King’s College London discovered that adults are still inclined to purchase e-cigarettes even if they come in plain packs.
Vapes are commonly used as a tool to aid smoking cessation, but the escalating usage among children who have never smoked is a major concern. The study, involving 2,770 children and young individuals aged 11 to 18, along with nearly 4,000 adults, revealed that 53% of youngsters believed their peers would be enticed to try vapes in colorful packaging.
However, when presented with vapes in standardized packs featuring typical flavor descriptions, the interest among youngsters decreased to 38%. Interestingly, adult interest in vapes remained consistent regardless of whether the packaging was standardized in white or branded.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, currently progressing through the House of Lords, aims to eliminate brightly colored packaging and vape flavors that appeal to children, such as bubble gum and cotton candy. Additionally, the legislation aims to make Britain smoke-free by prohibiting individuals born on or after January 1, 2009, from legally purchasing tobacco products.
Furthermore, a ban on disposable vapes was introduced earlier this year. Dr. Eve Taylor, the lead author from UCL’s Department of Behavioral Science and Health, emphasized the importance of regulations that discourage young people and non-smokers from vaping while ensuring that smokers can still use vapes as a quitting aid.
According to the study, participants were shown various types of packaging, including branded packs, plain white packs with standard product descriptions, packs with limited flavor descriptions, and standardized packs with flavor codes instead of names. Hazel Cheeseman, the chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, a charity that supported the study, highlighted the significance of regulating vapes effectively to safeguard children without undermining their utility as a smoking cessation aid.
In other news, plans are underway to empower local communities to block new vaping and gambling shops to revitalize Britain’s high streets. Keir Starmer is set to unveil town planning reforms that will give communities more control over the establishment and number of stores in their towns. The Prime Minister is expected to announce additional funding to support these reforms, with a focus on empowering local councils and communities to repurpose empty shops and prevent clusters of vape and gambling outlets on high streets.