NEWS
NO TO COUNTERFEITERS AND UNDERAGE SALES … … BUT YES TO HELPING ENTREPRENEURS SUCCEED
Vape giant RELX clamps down on fake products , calls for industry-wide commitment to prevent underage vaping and announces plans to help new entrepreneurs thrive
Words : Patrick Griffin
More than half a million fake RELX-branded vaping products have been removed from the global market as the company gets tough with counterfeiters . The international vape giant has been working closely with enforcement agencies to rid the shelves of the potentially dangerous inferior fake products and ensure they don ’ t get sold online . Since 2019 , the ‘ Golden Shield ’ initiative has helped remove over 550,000 fake products from the market , both online and from physical stores . RELX International ’ s Global Head of External Affairs , Jonathan Ng , said the company had stringent inspection controls in place to ensure that its products were of the highest quality . He said : “ Unfortunately , there are many counterfeit RELX and other smuggled products of unknown content and origin out there . “ We are working closely with investigation firms , e-commerce platforms and local authorities to weed out such products from the market .” The company has also unveiled its Guardian Program to help prevent minors using vaping products . Leina Chedid , Head of Marketing for the Middle East and North Africa , said : “ Since our inception , youth prevention has been an integral part of RELX International ’ s core company values . “ Our Guardian Program applies across all our sales and marketing and supports effective legislation and regulation to prevent the purchase and use of nicotine products by minors .” Jonathan Ng added : “ Protecting minors is an issue we take very seriously . We sincerely hope that others in the industry take this lead and also commit to this new era of responsibility .” Speaking at an exclusive digital event , he also outlined the company ’ s ‘ Green Shoots ’ initiative , which is set to help aspiring entrepreneurs and small business grow and succeed . He said : “ Startups and small businesses are the economic backbone of societies around the world . “ As a company that grew from a startup ourselves , we understand the numerous challenges that small businesses encounter daily .”
“ Protecting minors is an issue we take very seriously . We sincerely hope that others in the industry take this lead and also commit to this new era of responsibility .”
Green Shoots also includes the RELX Academy - currently being piloted in the Philippines – which will sponsor educational courses to help budding entrepreneurs achieve the essential skills to launch their own businesses .
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