UK proposes plain packaging and flavour restrictions for vapes to curb child appeal
8 reported
The UK government has announced plans to restrict vape packaging and flavours in an effort to reduce their appeal to children, according to the Department of Health and Social Care. Proposals include plain packaging, limiting device colours to white, black or grey, and keeping vapes out of sight in shops. Flavour descriptions would be restricted to simple names such as “apple,” banning names linked to sweets, desserts and alcohol. Health secretary James Murray said the government is launching a 12-week consultation on making vaping less attractive to children and young people. A poll on behalf of the charity Action on Smoking and Health found that nearly one in five (19%) 11-17-year-olds in Britain have tried vaping. The consultation also includes plans for white packaging with restrictions on text colour, imagery, branding and standardised product information, following the success of similar rules for cigarettes since 2017. Research published last year found that among children and young people shown vape packs, interest from peers dropped from 53% with usual packaging to 38% with standardised packs, while adult interest remained unchanged.
What’s reported
Vapes could be sold in plain packaging under UK-wide proposals to stop marketing to children.
Device colours would be limited to white, black or grey, and vapes kept out of sight in shops.
Flavour descriptions would allow simple names like “apple” but ban names linked to sweets, desserts and alcohol.
Health secretary James Murray announced a 12-week consultation on the plans.
A poll for Action on Smoking and Health found 19% of 11-17-year-olds in Britain have tried vaping.
The consultation also proposes white packaging for vapes with restrictions on text colour, imagery, branding and standardised product information.
Officials said the move follows the success of standardised packaging for cigarettes since 2017.
Research published last year showed interest from children and young people in trying vapes dropped from 53% with usual packaging to 38% with standardised packs; adult interest remained the same.
Key figures
James Murray, health secretary
Prof Steve Turner, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (Ash)
Sources: The Guardian
