The virtual conference kicked off with a deep dive into the long-awaited COP10 summit - set to take place next year – and explored what the event may focus on .
The session ’ s host , Jeannie Cameron of JCIC International , highlighted that , while ‘ nicotine is in the spotlight ’, there was a lot of confusion around the topic that needed to be addressed at the upcoming conference of the parties .
She suggested there was a wrongful belief that nicotine was ‘ worse than crack cocaine ’ when it came to dependence and that better education was required .
Cameron also highlighted that if ideology and politics continued to create barriers for reduced risk products , they would stifle innovation and prevent the introduction of new less harmful alternatives for smokers .
She discussed efforts to cripple the vape industry by making flavours ‘ unpalatable ’ under the guise of a non-existent youth issue … when , in reality , flavours helped smokers quit .
She also touched on the role of the World Health Organization in harm reduction policies , as well as focusing on environmental impact , taxation and communication as we approached COP10 .
What should we consider to |
design and develop successful |
medically |
licensed |
ENDS |
products ? |
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In this session , James May of DCA Design International highlighted some ‘ headline design considerations ’ for developing medically licensed ENDS products .
He said that one ‘ absolutely fundamental ’ aspect is personalisation , adding that the more a user holds and carries a device , the more it becomes a ‘ reflection of their character ’.
May went on to outline four ‘ incredibly interrelated ’ factors that should be taken into account when creating products and services .
He said that identifying the unmet needs of consumers and stakeholders , as well as considering macro trends like the growing societal focus on sustainability and the environment , could better inform the ENDS development process .
And when combined with category trends and innovation in technology – such as connectivity and tracking user behaviour – these four elements could enhance the ENDS experience and help guide design .
Latest tax legislation and impact on ENDS
This session highlighted the ‘ growing problem ’ of taxes on vaping products , with host Christopher Snowdon stressing that minimising the cost of reduced risk products would be key for any government that wanted to boost public health .
The Head of Lifestyle Economics for the Institute of Economic Affairs suggested that the wave of taxes spreading across the vape industry is likely the result of governments wanting to generate revenue .
However , armed with a library of studies and research , Snowdon explained that deterring people from vape use – whether through taxes , bans or warnings – would only drive-up traditional cigarette sales .
Snowdon added that there was no ethical , economic or health grounds for seeking to minimise or eliminate nicotine .
He suggested that if governments wanted to maximise ‘ societal welfare ’, ‘ consumer welfare ’ or ‘ public health ’ then it didn ’ t make sense to tax e-cigarettes and would be wiser to subsidise the cost instead .
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