tpd in the uk – the future of vaping discussed by a vape shop owner's perspective
TRANSCRIPT
TPD IN THE UKMichael Young – Manager, Vape Emporium,
London, UK
Today’s Presentation■ UK Response to TPD Article 20■ Impacts of TPD on UK vaping market ■ The relationship between TPD and Brexit ■ Transition to TPD compliance
UK RESPONSE TO TPD ARTICLE 20Article 20 Key points:
■ Came into effect on Friday 20 May 2016■ Bans most advertising – from May 2016■ Bans stronger e-cigarettes/juices (nicotine above 20mg/ml) - – from
November 2016■ Bans e-liquid bottles above 10ml – from November 2016■ Bans e-cigarette ‘tanks’ above 2ml – from November 2016
Royal College of Physicians Report (April 2016)
■ “The hazard to health arising from long-term vapour inhalation from the e-cigarettes available today is unlikely to exceed 5% of the harm from smoking tobacco”.
■ “ In the interests of public health it is important to promote the use of e-cigarettes, NRT and other non-tobacco nicotine products as widely as possible, as a substitute for smoking in the UK”
Department of Health Impact Assessment
■ Potential price increase and reduction of choice of vaping devices and e-liquids may lead people to switch back to smoking
■ If users can’t get the desired nicotine level for their setup they may switch back to cigarettes
■ The number of vaping products on the market could fall 96%, from 25,000 to 1,000
■ Advertising for vaporisers could be reduced by 90%■ A black market will develop with potentially harmful vaping products
UK RESPONSE TO TPD ARTICLE 20
■ Lord Martin Callanan – prompted debate on vaping and TPD in the House of Lords Grand Committee (10/05/16)
■ Cited Royal College of Physicians Report and Department of Health Impact Assessment
■ Motion failed, due to lack of his Peer’s support, but provided greater awareness of the problems with TPD, as well as the political desire to change it
Impacts of TPD on UK vaping market
■ Safe juice production■ Accurate Labelling■ Banning of 'high' nicotine e-liquids■ Stop companies making non-evidence based claims
" Good regulation is important to drive up standards. Elsewhere in the world countries are opting to ban e-cigarettes. In Europe we will have a balanced model of regulation that will keep safe and effective products on the market. There is also much scope for improvement. Balanced regulation can drive innovation and improve the market as a whole." Hazel Cheeseman – Director of ASH UK (Action on Smoking and Health)
Impacts of TPD on UK vaping market■ Increase in black market■ Higher costs for hardware and e-liquid■ Limiting of products on the market■ Closure of retailers■ Vapers going back to smoking
"There is a risk that due to the potential price increase and reduction of choice of e-cigarettes, people will choose to switch back to smoking" (Paragraph 207 – Department of Health TPD Impact Assessment)
The relationship between TPD and Brexit ■ There are estimated 2.8 million vapers in the UK (ASH 2016)■ Vapers were 18% more likely to vote ‘leave’ (AshtrayBlog 2016)■ Brexit weakens UK’s chance to influence the directive at EU level ■ BUT…although Brexit may take years to implement, the lack of
political support for TPD in the UK may mean that implementation can be adapted/relaxed sooner rather than later:
Transition to TPD compliance
■ Which liquids to notify the MHRA■ Selling tanks over 2ml■ Box Mods■ Filling mechanisms for bottles■ Compliance deadlines
Compliance datesIf you sell e-cigarettes and / refill containers by retail to the general public, you need to be aware of the transition periods for implementation of the new rules:
■ 20 May 2016 – 19 November 2016No change.
■ 20 November 2016 – 19 May 2017You may continue to sell products you already have in stock during this period.
■ On 20 May 2017You will need to remove from sale any remaining stocks of products that do not comply with the TPD.
■ From 20 May 2017When sourcing new supplies of any e-cigarette or e-liquid product, check that details of the notification for the product have been published on the MHRA website. If you cannot find the product on the MHRA website, ask your supplier to confirm that the product complies with the TPD and has been notified to MHRA. If a producer has not notified the product or it does not comply with the TPD, they may not supply it to you.
Transition to TPD compliance
Vape Emporium plans to:■ Establish new plant for manufacture of our own high quality TPD –
compliant products, to be marketed and sold internationally■ Develop new ‘compliant’ products for US e-liquid manufacturers with
whom we have exclusive European distribution agreements, such as ‘Tasty Cloud’, 'Cakery', 'Fixx-e', 'Vial Tonics' and more.
SUMMARY■ The UK has a unique role to play in determining a response to the
directive, as there is a high level of political support for vaping and Brexit could enhance further opportunities for growth in the UK.
■ The industry needs to unite nationally and internationally to help educate officials, politicians and consumers of the benefits that have been found by the two leading bodies in the UK.
■ Industry members can play a role in educating and informing vape customers, and the general public, on legislative changes and restrictions to freedom of choice and how to encourage change
■ Vape producers and retailers need to have a high level of awareness of Directive requirements (and updates) to ensure compliance and maintain trust in the industry
