A recent study suggests that selling vapes in plain packaging could help reduce their appeal to young people. Researchers from UCL and King’s College London discovered that adults were still inclined to purchase e-cigarettes even if they were sold in plain packs.
Vapes are commonly used as a tool to aid in smoking cessation, but the increasing use among children who have never smoked is a growing concern. The study, involving 2,770 individuals aged 11 to 18 and nearly 4,000 adults, revealed that 53% of young participants believed their peers would be interested in trying vapes in their usual colorful packaging. However, this interest decreased to 38% when they were shown vapes in standardized packs with regular flavor descriptions. Interestingly, adults’ interest in vapes remained consistent regardless of whether the packs were plain 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 attract children, such as bubble gum, gummy bear, and cotton candy. Additionally, the legislation seeks to achieve a smoke-free Britain by prohibiting individuals born after January 1, 2009, from legally purchasing tobacco products. Furthermore, a ban on disposable vapes was introduced earlier this year.
Lead author Dr. Eve Taylor from UCL’s Department of Behavioral Science and Health emphasized the importance of balancing vape packaging and flavor regulations to deter young non-smokers while not discouraging smokers from using vaping as a smoking cessation aid.
The study participants were shown various types of packs, including usual branded packs, plain packs with limited flavor descriptions like “blue raspberry,” and standardized packs with flavors listed as codes like “FR248.” Hazel Cheeseman, the chief executive of the charity Action on Smoking and Health, which supported the study, highlighted the significance of better regulatory measures for vapes to safeguard children without undermining their potential as aids for smokers looking to quit.
Plans are underway this week to empower local communities with the authority to block new vaping and gambling shops as part of efforts to rejuvenate Britain’s high streets. Keir Starmer is set to unveil plans for town planning reforms to grant communities more control over the opening and quantity of stores in their towns.
The government is expected to announce an injection of funds to support these reforms, with a portion allocated to local councils and the remainder directed at community projects. Authorities are also exploring ways to expedite the process of communities taking possession of vacant shops to prevent high streets from being overrun by vape shops, gambling establishments, and barbershops.