Wales calls for stricter rules to prevent minors from using electronic cigarettes

According to the Blue Hole New Consumption Report, on February 15, according to foreign reports, the Welsh Trade Standards Agency supports stricter regulation of the display and positioning of electronic cigarettes in retail places.

The Chartered Trade Standards Institute (CTSI) welcomed some suggestions made by the Local Government Association (LGA) aimed at strengthening the rules governing the sale of e-cigarettes and E-Cigarette products to young people.

At present, the law prohibits retailers from selling e-cigarettes to people under the age of 18, but there is no restriction on placing or displaying e-cigarettes and e-cigarette products in retail places. Retailers are advised to keep electronic cigarettes out of reach of children, but there is no law requiring them to do so.

CTSI acknowledged that although the risks brought by electronic cigarettes are far lower than smoking - which is still the largest single cause of preventable disease and death in the UK - and electronic cigarettes can become an effective means to help smokers quit smoking, better supervision is needed to ensure that electronic cigarettes will not fall into the hands of children and produce nicotine dependence in the new generation.

CTSI supports measures to minimize the appeal of e-cigarettes to people under the age of sale. CTSI is currently exploring the most effective methods and supports LGA's call to place Electronic Cigarette products out of reach of children and out of sight behind the counter. CTSI also supported LGA's call for mandatory age marking on e-cigarettes.

The trade standards service agencies around the UK are full of examples of illegal electronic cigarettes and minors selling electronic cigarettes. 60% of CTSI members said that the sale of illegal electronic cigarettes or electronic cigarettes products to children in commercial street stores was their most concerned

Only in the past few weeks:

A store in Mansfield has issued a temporary closure notice after selling electronic cigarette products to children for many times;

In Bajin and Dagnam, three enterprises were found selling electronic cigarettes to children;

The trade standard data shows that the sales of electronic cigarette products for children have increased;

A shop in south London has its license revoked on suspicion of selling electronic cigarettes to children.

Veronica McGinnley, CTSI's chief sales officer of age restriction, said: The current unrestricted display and taste system has led to bright, colorful and attractive display of products. These products are obviously targeted at the youth market and are promoted as an ideal lifestyle product, rather than smoking cessation aids. Coupled with the explosive growth of disposable electronic cigarettes, which are cheap and easy to use, in the market, we have set off a perfect storm, causing trade standards officials across the country to receive complaints from parents about the exposure of children as young as 13 years old to electronic cigarettes.

"Although e-cigarettes can become a valuable tool for smoking cessation, they have never intended to be marketed as a lifestyle product and attract a new generation of young people who have never smoked. Although these products are safer than traditional tobacco products, they are not without risks. They will lead to nicotine dependence, and their long-term effects are unclear."

"More than 10 years ago, the ban on the display of tobacco products was successfully implemented to protect children and allow the smoke-free generation to grow up. The current display of electronic cigarettes reminds people of our views on tobacco before the ban. If not controlled, it will lead to a new generation of nicotine addiction."

John Herrman, CTSI's chief executive, said: In view of the growing concerns, it is completely wise to tighten the sales rules of e-cigarettes to combat the sale of minors. We have heard from trade standards teams and concerned parents around the country that the use of electronic cigarettes among young people is worrying, and the supply of illegal electronic cigarettes is also increasing steadily.

"We are really worried about the deliberate marketing and promotion of the new generation of non-smokers. These products have bright colors, novel tastes and are positioned next to candy and candy. We should also consider stipulating who can sell electronic cigarettes in some form of licensing or registration scheme. We encourage all retailers to take responsible actions and warn those who violate the law. Trading Standards can and will sue you."