How does the UK regulate vape?

Because of the firm belief in the role of vape in quitting traditional tobacco, the British health authorities regard vape as one of the drugs for the treatment of tobacco addiction, which is managed by the United Kingdom Drugs and Health Products Administration (hereinafter referred to as the "FDA"). Manufacturers need to submit vape product descriptions, which can only be sold in the UK market after approval by the FDA. Anyone, including consumers and medical staff, can report the side effects and safety issues of vape products to the FDA.

As pharmaceuticals, the production and sale of vape in the UK must follow super detailed regulations. All vape products on the UK market must comply with the EU Tobacco Products Regulations. In May 2016, the United Kingdom promulgated the "Regulations on the Management of Tobacco and Related Products" based on the above-mentioned EU regulations to make more specific management and implementation requirements for the manufacture, display and sale of vape in the UK market.

According to the latest provisions of the EU Tobacco Products Regulations, the safety and quality of all vape and e-liquid devices sold in the EU market must meet the EU minimum standards; the product information on the vape product packaging must be clear and not misleading Or prevent consumers from making choices; prevent minors from imitating adults to use vape.

Specific to the UK market, from May 20, 2017, the UK requires that the volume of a single cigarette tube of vape does not exceed 2 ml; the maximum capacity of refilled e-liquid does not exceed 10 ml; the nicotine concentration of e-liquid does not exceed 20 milligrams per milliliter; products containing nicotine and its packaging must prevent children from unpacking and cannot be restored to their original state after unpacking; it is forbidden to add certain ingredients, including pigments, caffeine, taurine, in vape oil; Add new labels and warnings; regardless of vape tube or e-liquid, all vape products must be notified to the FDA before they are sold in the UK.

British vape sales locations are usually in supermarket tobacco counters, specialty stores and pharmacies. The vape package must be conspicuously marked that the product has an addiction risk and is not intended for use by minors under 18 years of age, and the seller has the right to require consumers to show identification to prove their age.

Advertisements for vape also have clear restrictions. In the UK, vape advertisements are not allowed to be placed directly or indirectly on TV, radio, newspapers, periodicals, websites, and emails; cinemas, outdoor, car bodies, faxes, and blogs are the main display locations of vape advertisements.

Thanks to these detailed industry regulations, the UK's vape market has maintained a healthy development and has given the authorities confidence in supporting vape. But the British society's controversy and worries about vape have not dissipated.

A research report published by researchers at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom last year believes that long-term inhalation of vape may cause important immune cells in the body to lose their functions, and the vape's "safe to the human body" may be wrong.

The study pointed out that if only the chemical composition of cigarettes and vape is compared, then vape contains less carcinogens than traditional cigarettes. But "If a person takes vape for 20 to 30 years, this habit may still cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease." To this end, the researchers called on the outside world to maintain a questionable attitude towards vape.

British health authorities also agree that vape is not without risks. According to data from the UK Drug Administration, from May 2016 to September 2019, the agency received dozens of reports of adverse reactions related to vape. In addition, the British media has exposed that some retailers sell vapes to minors without checking documents, which has also caused social concerns. Facing these problems, coupled with the recent frequent deaths of lung diseases caused by vapes in the United States and the background of restrictions on vapes in many countries, will the United Kingdom change its position on vapes? The answer is: there is no indication that the British government intends to change.

PHE recently issued a statement on its official Twitter account: "vape is not completely risk-free, but the harm is far less than smoking ordinary cigarettes." It can be confirmed that the British authorities' opinions on vape remain unchanged.

The US Department of Health announced in September that the US Food and Drug Administration will introduce regulations prohibiting the sale of non-tobacco-flavored vape products to control the tendency of youth to smoke vapes. British authorities are facing similar appeals, but Martin Dockrell, the head of the PHE tobacco control program, said that if the ban on adding flavors to vapes may cause vape users to re-draw ordinary cigarettes In turn, it provides young people with more adult smoking models, "and this is the main driving force for many young people to start smoking."

He believes that most of the fatal cases of vape in the United States are related to the use of illegal atomizing fluids. These people buy or make vape oil containing cannabis on the streets. The British vape products have always been strictly controlled, and the quality and safety are more guaranteed.

In fact, the policy document of the British Ministry of Health's 2017 "Tobacco Control Plan" shows that after the UK withdraws from the EU, the British government may intentionally relax the vape regulations. The document pointed out that the British government will "use Brexit as an opportunity to review current legislation", and on the principle of continuing to monitor the safety of vape, "determine whether there is room for appropriate relaxation without prejudice to public health (vape) control".

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