Menthol cigarettes were recently banned in the UK, but what does this ban mean for the vaping market? Will there be a menthol vape juice ban as well? We answer all your questions in our latest blog.
When were menthol cigarettes banned?
Menthol cigarettes were banned in the UK from the 20th May 2020.
The new regulations introduced in May also ban the sale of other flavoured cigarettes and skinny cigarettes in UK stores.
Why were menthol cigarettes banned?
It is believed that menthol cigarettes appeal more widely to younger age groups and could play a role in young people taking up smoking. Research also shows there may be an incorrect perception that menthol cigarettes are less harmful than non-menthol cigarettes.
The ban is part of EU Tobacco Product Directive laws.
It is also part of the government ambition for the UK to be smoke free by 2030.
Will this ban be extended to menthol vape juice?
The ban on menthol cigarettes introduced in May 2020 does not currently extend to menthol vape juice (also known as e-liquid).
The e-cigarette market is regulated in the UK with provisions made under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR) and Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.
E-cigarette and e-liquids must be notified to the MHRA before being sold in the UK market.
The TRPR does include some limitations and bans around e-liquid ingredients such as colourings, caffeine, and taurine. But this does not extend to menthol.
What future regulatory proposals may impact vape shop owners?
The e-cigarette market is still a relatively new one. Every year Public Health England release an update to their e-cigarette evidence review with the aim of providing evidence on vaping products to inform policies and regulations. So, if you work within the vaping sector, it is certainly worth keeping up to date with these for indicators of what may change within the industry.
It is also expected that a new Tobacco Control Plan will be published in the not-too-distant future. Debate was held in parliament on the 16th Nov regarding the delivery of the new Tobacco Control Plan. The current Tobacco Control Plan was published in 2017, covering the period 2017 – 2022. There may be change for the vape industry as result of this.
Put the right insurance in place for your vaping business
As a specialist e-cigarette insurance broker, we have real experience of the vaping market. This means we can work to fully understand your businesses needs and ensure you have the right insurance in place to cover the unique risks associated with the vape industry. Find out more about our vaping insurance product offering here
