What Will The Future Bring For UK Vaping?

2022 saw the release of three major reports that supported vaping in the United Kingdom and a troubling one about teen use, and all four look set to play a major role in decision-making during 2023.

2022 saw the release of two major reports that supported vaping in the United Kingdom, one from Cochrane, one from the Government, and the Khan Review. Plus, there was one from Action on Smoking and Health & Cancer Research UK regarding teen use. All four look set to play a major role in political decision-making during 2023 and will probably herald a change in how disposable vapes are treated.

What is the Cochrane Review of vaping?

The Cochrane review is recognised as being one of the most reliable ongoing analyses of vape-related research. Their team found “the strongest evidence yet” that UK vape liquids and e-cigarettes work better at helping smokers to quit than traditional nicotine replacement products (NRT) like patches, sprays, and gum.

What is the Nicotine Vaping in England report?

The report was produced by public health experts at the Government’s Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID). It found strong evidence that the statement “vaping is at least 95% safer than smoking” still holds true.

John Dunne, the director general of UKVIA said: “Particularly welcoming is the evidence that indicates significantly lower relative exposure from vaping compared to smoking in biomarkers that are associated with the risk of cancer, respiratory conditions, cardiovascular conditions and other health conditions’ which lead to tens of thousands of deaths every year, not to mention the high levels of those suffering from debilitating smoking-related illnesses.”

What is the Khan Review?

Javed Khan’s review “Making Smoking Obsolete” recognised that electronic cigarettes have a major role to play in further reducing UK smoking rates and recommended the Government invest in promoting vaping to the general public. We covered the release of the Khan Review in mid-2022.

What did Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) & Cancer Research UK find?

The report detailed how teen use has risen from 4% in 2020 to 7% in 2022. Public health commentators and politicians expressed their concern at the finding. ASH produced resources for parents and schools following the publication.

How did the Government respond?

Parliament saw a debate just before the Christmas break where politicians universally agreed that they were concerned about teen use and the environmental impact of disposable vapes.

Rebecca Pow MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, told the chamber that the Government intended to make importers join a producer compliance scheme and compel manufacturers to abide by the WEEE recycling regulations.

Will the industry embrace stronger legislation?

Yes. Another ASH survey discovered that the majority of nicotine product retailers support the idea of tougher regulations in future including a levy on tobacco manufacturers and disposable vape importers to pay for measures.

In Conclusion

E-liquids and vapes have never been in a stronger position thanks to the volume of supportive independent academic research. This year will see the industry take a huge step towards great environmental sustainability and set us up as an even greater example to the rest of the world.