FYI
industry on a daily basis in Brussels.
We are delighted to have joined forces
with FIVAPE, and look forward to
welcoming other independent vape
industry organisations from other
Member States.
Will Brexit have an impact on IBVTA’s
involvement with ECIV?
Fraser: In June the UK voted to leave
the EU and at some point over the next
two years, that is what will happen.
Until that moment the UK is still a
member of the EU and bound by all
obligations of membership.
Therefore, at this moment in time, the
TPD is still binding and the UK industry
still needs to comply with it.
What happens next will depend on
the wider negotiations between our
Government and Brussels and the exact
nature of the UK’s future relationship
with the EU. It is this that will determine
whether or not the current regulations
remain in force beyond the point that the
UK actually leaves the EU.
We will not be resigning from ECIV and
see our involvement within ECIV now
being more important than ever for the
stability of our members’ trade with the
EU and for wider political engagement.
What impact do you think Brexit
will have on the regulation of vape
products in the UK and beyond?
Fraser: As I said previously, our
members are still bound by the TPD
and will be so for at least two years.
What happens after that will depend
on the wider negotiations between our
Government and Brussels and the exact
nature of the UK’s future relationship
with the EU. It is this that will determine
whether or not the current regulations
remain in force beyond the point that
the UK actually leaves the EU.
In all of this, my role as chairman of
IBVTA is to look out for our members’
best interests and to ensure that their
views are heard by those in power,
both here in the UK and in Brussels.
IBVTA will be meeting with government
officials as a matter or priority to discuss
the full implications of the referendum
result and will continue to make the
case for sector specific and proportionate
regulations for the independent vape
industry. I hope that outside of the EU,
the UK will see the sense in developing
a set of sector specific proportionate
regulations and that this approach
can be an example to other countries
within Europe and perhaps, even the
European Commission.
What do you see as the immediate
challenges for ECIV?
Jean: Uniting the independent
vape industry in Europe and raising
awareness for the numerous challenges
we are facing is one thing we are
committed to. Then there is the ambition
of everyone involved in ECIV to achieve
results in the short term. Regarding
the TPD, the multiple and unwise
transpositions throughout the EU
call for a significant shift in the way public
authorities deal with vape products.
We think we can make a difference here.
Fraser: Well, clearly the TPD continues
to be an issue of significance.
Many Member States are still to
implement it and we are all still tied
up in negotiations surrounding some
of the finer details. A great deal of our
focus must be to support our respective
members through this challenging
period, whilst at the same time pushing
for and preparing for a review of the
TPD at the earliest opportunity.
In addition to this is the issue of taxation.
Later this year the Commission will
consult on whether or not excise should
be levied on vaping products. This will
be an issue of vital importance and one
that ECIV will need to be full engaged.
Finally, looking beyond the EU we have
COP 7 in India later this year.
We have been deeply concerned
regarding the WHO’s publicly
expressed views on vaping and the
impact this has had in many countries
around the world. We will be engaging
with the EU’s representatives at COP
7 to ensure they are fully aware of the
latest evidence regarding vaping and the
views of the independent vape industry.
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