FEATURE
SPECIAL
AS WE MOVE INTO THE YEAR OF BREXIT, WE ASK
WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR THE INDUSTRY.
BY RÓISÍN DELANEY
At the time this issue went to press, Theresa May had suffered scrutiny and loss over her draft
Brexit plan. The level of uncertainty among those who are usually so outspoken in this trade was a
clear indicator that some are still afraid to air their true feelings on Brexit, a mere three months out
from Brexit Day on March 29.
“We believe that the existing e-vapour regulations prevent many adult smokers from switching
to a less harmful alternative.
We actively support and encourage the government to be rigorous in areas such as product
standards, vital for consumer safety, and youth access prevention. However, we also believe
some regulations, like the current restrictions around online advertising to consumers, are
less welcome and can actually work against the government’s public health objectives.
“As the UK prepares to leave the EU, the government has a unique opportunity to revisit
EUTPD II and raise standards and at the same time work in the public’s interest to increase
consumer confidence in the category.”
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Duncan Cunningham, UK Corporate Affairs Director for Imperial Brands
“As much as we have to think that it is a concern for us operating as commercial businesses
here [in the EU], until it’s defined we can’t make any commercial decisions around it.”
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CTA Marketing Director and CEO of Canabidiol, Tom Whettem
“We’ll carry on, business as usual, until explicitly told otherwise. We’re waiting for instructions
from the government, we’re in the same position as many companies based in the UK. We
hear plenty of rumours, like speculating about changes in permitted nicotine strength, but
nothing certain.”
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Gwenn Gendrot, Head of UK Sales for ELiquid France
68 | VM20