Major brands across category back new initiative
THE UK vape industry has launched a new code of conduct backed by major players and manufacturers from across the vaping category.
Overseen by the Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA), the new code seeks to address the issues of youth vapers – including access and experimentation.
Those who have already signed up to the code are responsible for over 50% of single-use vape products on the UK market, including IMiracle, the firm behind the Elfbar and Lost Mary disposable vape brands.
The code sets out the following:
• Only supply products that comply with UK regulations and are notified to the MHRA.
• Refrain from supplying products under brands or product names aimed at capitalising on well-known food, beverage, confectionery, cartoon or entertainment brands.
• Refrain from supplying products whose flavour names resemble well-known food, beverage, confectionery, cartoon or entertainment brands.
• Only supply products whose flavour names accurately reflect the profile of the flavour and not abstract concepts that might disproportionately appeal to children.
• Only supply products that do not feature images of cartoon characters, or fictional characters from entertainment primarily aimed at youth on either the product or packaging.
• Introduce due diligence measures within the supply chains that aim to reduce supply of products to retailers who do not have experience in selling age-restricted products, or who do not have strict age verification protocols in place.
• Comply with obligations under waste and recycling regulations within our own businesses and communicate retailer obligations to our retail customers.
Marcus Saxton, chair of the IBVTA, said: “I am delighted that the newly launched code of conduct will cover 50% of the single-use vape products on the UK market, a figure that will increase over the coming weeks and months as more companies sign up.”
