MP calls for evidence-based regulation for Vapes 

The new Chair of the Responsible Vaping APPG, Euan Stainbank MP, has today called for more evidence-based regulation on vapes.      

The APPG seeks to raise awareness of benefits of vaping as a smoking cessation tool, as adults who switch from tobacco to vapes are around twice as likely to stop smoking, gaining an average of 5-15 additional years of life when quitting cigarettes.    

However, only 7.7% of tobacco smokers know that vaping is considerably less harmful than smoking.    

The APPG has been engaging with the Tobacco and Vapes Bill as it moves through Parliament and while supporting large parts of the Bill, APPG members are concerned that the benefits of vapes as a smoking cessation tool for adult smokers are at risk of being undermined by the potential use of secondary legislation contained within the bill.   

In particular, the APPG is concerned that prospective restrictions on flavours and advertising may lead to less smokers switching to vapes, and quitting cigarettes, due to a lack of awareness of different options.   

Chair of the APPG, Euan Stainbank MP, launched the campaign:   

“Using vapes has been estimated by UK experts to be 95% safer than using cigarettes, and adult smokers who switch to vaping are twice as likely to stop smoking as those using nicotine patches. My own experience was certainly that vaping helped me tremendously on my journey to quit smoking for good.”   

“We support much of the Government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, but we also know that consumer choice and awareness underpin a successful vaping experience.   

“Smokers need to be aware of the choices that are available to them and enjoy the vaping experience to continue leaving cigarettes behind. This does include the use of flavours, responsibly produced by adults, for adults.”   

The new campaign includes a fact sheet for Parliamentarians, and others, as well as case studies and social media posts, raising awareness of the work of the APPG.   

The UK’s vape industry is a growing part of the UK’s economy offering a uniquely positive social value by supporting adults to quit smoking. It is also a home-grown industry which grew out of some of the more deprived areas in the UK – the northwest and northeast of England, and south Wales – and was developed by vapers, for vapers.   

The APPG holds regular meetings in Parliament for MPs and Peers, with the latest meeting having taken place on 17 March.   

ENDS