{"id":44494,"date":"2014-07-02T11:59:07","date_gmt":"2014-07-02T11:59:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=5db5ae4cf29b35230b82eba952c108b4"},"modified":"2014-07-02T11:59:07","modified_gmt":"2014-07-02T11:59:07","slug":"press-release-report-finds-some-retailers-ignoring-age-of-sale-warnings-on-e-cigarettes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=44494","title":{"rendered":"Press release: Report finds some retailers ignoring age of sale warnings on e-cigarettes"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Youth Access to E cigarettes and associated products report<\/a> published today (2 July 2014) and released at Trading Standards Institute\u2019s (TSI<\/abbr>\u2019s) annual conference reveals the results of a test-purchasing study involving young people aged under 18 attempting to buy e-cigarettes and related products from a variety of retailers.<\/p>\n

Whilst there is currently no legal restriction placed on the age at which e-cigarettes may be sold, the majority of these products carry a voluntary age warning that they are not for sale to under 18s. New powers in the Children and Families Act 2014<\/a> allow for the introduction of a ban on selling e-cigarettes to under 18s. These regulations are subject to future consultation and the study was commissioned by Public Health England (PHE<\/abbr>) to assist this work<\/p>\n

Of 574 visits made by young people in March 2014, successful purchases were made on 227 occasions (40%). The highest proportion of purchases to visits made was from market stalls (80%) followed by independent pharmacies (74%). <\/p>\n

The majority of products sold (80%) carried warnings that these products were not for sale to under-18s.<\/p>\n

Where retailers refused a sale a range of reasons were given including: refusal following a proof of age request or outright refusal to serve a young person.<\/p>\n

It is estimated that there are now 2.1 million users of e-cigarettes in Great Britain. According to the Use of electronic cigarettes in Great Britain survey<\/a>, about two thirds of users are smokers and one third are ex-smokers. Only around 1% of never-smokers reported ever trying e-cigarettes. <\/p>\n

Whilst there are concerns that young people could use e-cigarettes as a gateway into tobacco, the same survey found no evidence of this. E-cigarette use by young people was found to be concentrated with those who had already started smoking tobacco. Less than 2% of under-18s surveyed reported using e-cigarettes monthly and less than 1% of never-smokers reported having tried them \u2018once or twice\u2019. <\/p>\n

Professor Kevin Fenton, National Director of Health and Wellbeing, PHE<\/abbr>, said:<\/p>\n

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PHE<\/abbr> is committed to maximising the benefits and managing the risks of e-cigarettes. With effective and appropriate regulation, we believe these products can have a real and lasting benefit to public health by helping people to quit tobacco.<\/p>\n

However, we are aware of concerns about young people\u2019s access to e-cigarettes. The report finds that, despite age of sale warnings, many retailers are selling e-cigarette products to young people. This is unacceptable.<\/p>\n

This study shows that the government and regulatory authorities need to work closely with retailers in advance of any regulations to ensure that retailers are aware of their legal responsibilities.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

TSI<\/abbr> Chief Executive Leon Livermore said: <\/p>\n

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This collaboration with PHE<\/abbr> is an excellent example of how trading standards and TSI<\/abbr> are working to protect the health and wellbeing of consumers, in this case particularly young consumers. This study has highlighted that trading standards has an important role to play in preparing businesses for the change in the law and to ensure that these products are not supplied to under 18s.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Ends<\/h3>\n

Notes to editors<\/h2>\n