• that the Government adopts a wider collaborative approach to policy creation involving a regulators , scientific and public health experts and the vaping industry . The report says it is vital to tackle the public misconception that vaping is as bad for health as smoking . It says that existing methods of marketing and organisation may need to be revised if endorsements and positive statements from respected authorities aren ’ t breaking through and reaching the public . ASH has even reported regression is some areas : “ Public perceptions of harm from e-cigarettes remain inaccurate with only 13 % accurately understanding in 2017 that e-cigarettes are a lot less harmful than smoking . Among smokers , perceptions are also getting worse with only 20 % accurately believing in 2017 that e-cigarettes are a lot less harmful than smoking compared with 31 % in 2015 .” The parliamentary group ’ s findings for why such a regression has occurred coincides with what many in the vape trade have long suspected : the prevalence of poorly-researched , sensational and highly negative news coverage and its tendency to spread quickly . While on the subject of anti-vaping myths , the report also shows that “ the cross-party group heard from public health witnesses that there was no evidence of statistically significant uptake of vaping products from under-18s and non-smokers in the UK .” So , we have yet another collection of studies , witness statements and conclusive research vindicating the vape trade against its worst charges : vaping remains provably safe compared with smoking , a necessary component for harm reduction , and it has not been shown to be a gateway to smoking for underage people or never-smokers . Moving forward , future regulatory changes must re-galvanise the potential for harm reduction and smoking cessation we have already seen via the rise of vaping . With the evidence on the vape trade ’ s side at a business and public health level , what then can be done to turn the tide of poor public perception and persistent misinformation ? The report says that the vast majority of the UK vape trade has significantly invested in meeting regulatory requirements and continues to work hard in remaining within them . There is concern that failure to enforce such regulation will devalue the worth of such effort and investment : “ To be effective , regulations must be enforced correctly and consistently across the country , or they risk being devalued entirely … a lack of enforcement represented a potential waste of its money ( in terms of achieving compliance with new stock ), and could lead to further more draconian regulation in future .” The report also mentions that despite a greater effort of collaboration between all relevant bodies ( policy makers , researchers , practitioners and the non-governmental organisation representatives ) with some connection to the vape industry and ability to shape its future , the focus will remain “ on the health impact of vaping products , rather than addressing the regulatory environment and the enforcement and impact of existing regulations .” The report continues : “ The current regulations , in particular Article 20 of the TPD , do not reflect the positive public health potential of vaping and are inconsistent when compared with other similar products . “ There is a need for a new regulatory framework that better reflects the UK ’ s public health priorities and takes into account the mounting scientific evidence base around vaping . “ For example , the Government should review advertising regulation in this area , as vaping products cannot currently cite
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THE POSITIVE PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGE OF VAPING COMPARED TO SMOKING IS CLEARLY FAILING TO GET ACROSS TO THE SEVEN MILLION REMAINING SMOKERS IN THE UK . THIS REQUIRES
URGENT ATTENTION
health related claims such as Public Health England ’ s 95 % less harmful statistic .” The group sees potential in our impending departure from the European Union for the vape industry to facilitate “ our own bespoke regulatory framework ” that will enable vaping ’ s ongoing struggle to enable better public health through smoking cessation . The first milestone in achieving this lies in establishing a previously non-existent clear line between smoking and vaping in the eyes of the law . The group hopes that subsequent policies will investigate claims about bystander harm and underage vaping with clear , nonpartisan eyes , whilst complying with existing smokefree legislation and keeping ex-smokers away from their former habit . The report describes consistency in how vaping is treated as key to making a new environment work cohesively , establishing a “ culture of collaboration both within the industry itself and between Government and other regulators that oversee it .” Remaking and reshaping foundational elements of current laws and regulations is an opportunity to continue the best aspects of the maturation of the vaping industry and scrap the worst . Exiting from the EU will be no reason to split existing alliances between the industry , the political sphere and consumers , whose confidence in their products must be protected . State of the Vaping Nation is the first in a series of reports designed to educate and inform parliamentarians in an area of consumer policy that affects many thousands of people in the UK . It may prove a milestone in collaboration between the aforementioned bodies and we hope to see it reclaim some ground lost due to previously unchallenged misinformation . It is important to remind ourselves , in trying times , the sheer multitude of allies and voices we have advancing this essential public health cause .
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