VAPES and nicotine products could be forced to be sold in plain white packaging with restrictions on flavour names, under new UK-wide proposals.
The move, which comes in a bid to reduce the appeal of vapes to children, would see vapes in white packaging with restrictions on text colour, imagery, and branding, as well as standardised product information.
Flavour names would be restricted to ‘simple recognisable descriptions’ such as ‘apple’, with concept and sensory names being banned, as well as those related to confectionery, sweets, desserts, and alcohol.
Electronic vapes would also be restricted to a ‘drab brown’ colour, the same as tobacco packaging – with no images, limited branding, no cosmetic lights, and screens only displaying information such as battery level.
Scotland’s public health minister, Maree Todd, said, “Scotland has been a world leader on a range of tobacco control measures, and while there has been a steady reduction in smoking rates, we know it still damages lives and kills more than 7,000 people a year in Scotland.
“The use of vapes has increased in recent years, particularly among children and young people – with almost 1 in 5 children saying they have tried vaping.
“We know that colourful packaging and displays are used as an enticement to children and young people, which is why we are taking action and consulting on options to address this issue. We urge everyone to have their say on how these products are marketed and sold in the future to help protect children and young people and reduce preventable harm in Scotland.”
The proposals have been launched by the Scottish and Welsh governments alongside the UK Government.
Wales deputy minister for preventative and public health, Nerys Evans, added, “Vapes are being deliberately designed and marketed to appeal to children – with bright colours, cartoon branding and sweet-sounding flavour names that have no place in products containing addictive nicotine.
“It is simply unacceptable and I would urge everyone to support our efforts to protect children’s health.”
