Vape industry welcomes DHSC call for evidence
The Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA) welcomes the call for evidence published today by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), which seeks evidence to develop specific policies on vaping. The call for evidence will run for 8 weeks and ends on December 3rd.
This call for evidence comes in advance of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill being voted through Parliament, and once the Bill receives Royal Assent, which is expected to be next year. Further public consultations will be published once secondary legislation is drafted.
DHSC is seeking evidence on the topics of licensing of tobacco and vape retail, and the vape product notification system which is overseen by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). They are also interested in evidence on the safety of vape flavour ingredients, and on vaping device physical and functional features. It will be important for stakeholders intending to respond to the call for evidence to understand the difference between this process and a public consultation.
‘Calls for evidence’ are often focused on topics that involve technical expertise or require specialist knowledge. These topics typically concern technical details that are not generally within the scope of knowledge expected from the average member of the public. They are used by government departments to gather the evidence required to assist in developing specific policy.
A separate consultation on introducing smoke-free and vape-free places, restrictions on vape packaging and changing how and where they are displayed in shops, will follow next year.
IBVTA CEO, Gillian Golden said, “Policies designed to regulate vaping must be based on evidence rather than public opinion, which has too often been manufactured by media and political hysteria. We therefore welcome this call for evidence published today. Vaping remains the UK’s most successful and most popular way for adults to smoke to quit. This public health opportunity must be protected, while tackling the illicit trade and illegal underage sales.”