Vapers and retailers are being urged to "protect the future of harm reduction" by giving evidence to the government as part of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
Campaign group We Vape wants vendors to answer a parliamentary call explaining the importance of e-cigs and how the new bill might impact the numbers of people who choose to vape instead of smoke.
They have also encouraged businesses to “spread the word” among consumers about how to respond to the government's request for more data, as it advances the bill. The appeal follows a planned ban on advertising, which critics fear will prevent vital education of smokers that vapes are significantly safer than cigarettes.
Research shows half of all smokers (50 per cent) incorrectly believe vaping is more or equally as harmful as smoking - an increase of 10per cent over 2023. Only one third of smokers understand vaping is less harmful than smoking.
Further evidence suggests a potential ban on flavours could push 1.5million vapers back to smoking. One study - funded by the UK Health Security Agency - also raised fears many vapers will make their own flavoured e-liquid, “which may expose them to toxicants or chemicals that have not been approved for use in vapes”.
We Vape Founder Mark Oates said, "This call to evidence is a rare opportunity for retailers and consumers on the ground to have their say on vaping. We know the potential restriction to flavours will drive many ex-smokers back to the death sentence that is cigarettes, while the advertising ban means we cannot educate the staggering 50 per cent of smokers who think vaping is more harmful than smoking.
"Both these elements of the bill already imply vaping is as bad for you as smoking, which is entirely wrong and contrary to the NHS policy of handing out starter packs to adults wanting to quit cigarettes.
"Vape retailers and vapers are best qualified to speak on the tastes and purchase options that draw smokers to vaping and can provide the expert evidence the government needs.
"It is vital its decisions protect the rights of vapers to choose the flavours that help stop them smoking, as well as allowing smokers to be educated about the health benefits of making the switch.
"While the government can adjust its decisions based on new evidence, a person diagnosed with terminal cancer after being forced back to smoking cannot.
"That's why we also encourage businesses to spread the word to their customers about contributing evidence, which will help protect the future of harm reduction.
"If you are a vaper or your business involves vaping, please answer the parliamentary call for evidence on the impact the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will have on you or the people you serve daily."
The government wants to hear from those with “relevant expertise, experience or a special interest” in vaping, who can provide proof of its importance as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill enters the committee stage of approval.
Radnor Hills, one of the UK’s leading soft drinks manufacturers, has welcomed FMCG specialist Jonathan Kemp to its board.
Kemp, who will join the board of directors of the Powys-based company as a non-executive director this month, has a long and successful career in brand building within the FMCG industry.
For the past 21 years he has been on the board of AG Barr plc as Commercial Director, during which he led the commercial growth of the business and the development of iconic brands such as IRN-BRU and Rubicon.
He is also involved with the Strathclyde Business School, part of the University of Strathclyde where he teaches students and conducts research.
He began his career at Procter & Gamble and worked for eleven years across a number of brands in a variety of sales, commercial and marketing roles including the setting up of the first Customer Business Unit at Tesco and the integration and UK launch of the Iams business.
Simon Knight, Managing Director of Radnor Hills, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jonathan to the board of directors and are looking forward to introducing him to our colleagues across the business.
“He has had a long and successful career in brand building within the FMCG industry and he joins us at a very exciting time as we embark on the next stage of our growth plans.”
Kemp said, “I’m really delighted to be joining the board at Radnor Hills as a Non-Executive Director. William and the team have built a very successful, fast growing soft drinks business through some increasingly well-known and great tasting brands. I’m looking forward to working with the team and being part of the next stage in the growth journey of the business.”
Radnor Hills, which was founded in 1990 by founder and CEO William Watkins, celebrates its 35th anniversary this year.
Last year, Simon Knight became the Managing Director of the fast-growing company which produces a range of still, sparkling water and flavoured soft drinks all made with exceptionally pure spring water sourced from its boreholes.
Its brands include Radnor Hills spring water, Heartsease Farm, Radnor Splash and Radnor Fizz.
Radnor Hills produces over 400 million units of drinks annually. It recorded revenues of £72.4 million in the year ended 31 May 2024, up from £65.5 million in the year prior
Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery, has launched a brand new annuity-style Scratchcard based on its successful draw game Set For Life. The new "Set For 5 Years" Scratchcard, which costs £2, offers players the chance to win a top prize of £5,000 every month for five years.
And to celebrate its launch in stores, Allwyn is giving eligible National Lottery retailers the chance to win an annuity-style prize of their own of £100 every month for a year. To be in with a chance of winning one of five top prizes up for grabs, National Lottery retailers should upload a picture of the Set For 5 Years Scratchcard in their dispenser to the National Lottery Retailer Hub by this Sunday (19 January).
In doing so, they’ll earn £10 and an entry into the draw to win £100 a month for a year. In-store support for the new Set For 5 Years game – which works by players having to match key numbers on the card to mimic that of a "Set For Life" draw – includes both Set For Life and Set For 5 Years POS, with the games’ iconic blue and pink colour palette taking a prominent place in stores this month.
“We’re really excited to be launching this new Set For Life-style Scratchcard, as it gives retail players even more opportunities to win on repeat from a National Lottery game," said Allwyn’s Head of Retail Channels, James Dunbar. "It’s designed with the same look and feel as the Set For Life draw game, which offers retailers lots of cross-selling opportunities. For example, they can suggest the new Scratchcard as an additional purchase to customers buying a Set For Life ticket. And we‘re also celebrating its launch with a special bonus event that will bring the magic of winning on repeat to five lucky National Lottery retailers.” If National Lottery retailers haven’t already, they can sign up to The National Lottery Retailer Hub today to find out more about bonus opportunities like this one and Allwyn’s new "Share The Win" initiative: https://tnlpartners.co.uk/
A convenience store in Edinburgh became the recent target of an ugly case of robbery on Friday (10), leaving the staff in shock.
The alleged incident took place at Londis store on Easter Road in Leith. The clip from CCTV floating on Facebook shows a man man dressed in black barging in the store with what appears to be a pole in his hand.
The man can be seen scattering the items from the counter before demanding the money from the staff at the till.
The shop worker can then be seen opening the till and handing over what is believed to be cash.
Officers have confirmed they are investigating the incident after they received a report of a robbery at the convenience store at around 9pm on Friday 10.
It is understood no one was injured during the disturbance.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said, “Enquiries are ongoing into a robbery at a convenience store on Easter Road, Edinburgh on Friday, 10 January 2025.
"The incident happened around 6.50pm and was reported to police around 9pm. No one was injured.”
The store wrote on the social media, "Please share this attack on one of our staff at Londis Easter Road, Edinburgh, taken place this evening Friday 10/01/25 at 6:53 pm.
"Someone probably noticed this criminal with his distinctive gear, ladies bike and a metal rod."
Demand for “hyper” limited-edition whisky produced by smaller, independent distilleries is on the rise with experts claiming that it is going to be the "next big thing" in the alcohol aisle.
Despite the onset of Dry January and a third of the population opting to steer clear of alcohol, whisky sales at Selfridges are defying the trend, with demand for exclusive, limited-edition bottles booming, The Times stated in a report.
The high-end department store, with flagship locations in London, Manchester, Birmingham, and a strong online presence, reports a significant uptick in interest for “hyper” limited-edition whiskies crafted by smaller, independent distilleries.
This marks a shift in the whisky market, which has traditionally been dominated by large Scottish and American producers.
According to Selfridges, sales of lesser-known brands have more than doubled over the past year, prompting the retailer to expand its whisky portfolio to over 1,000 bottles in 2023, with further growth planned for this year.
A particular focus has been on single cask releases, which yield between 200 and 300 bottles, depending on the “angels’ share”—the amount lost to evaporation during ageing.
One recent success story is The Hearach, a single malt from the Isle of Harris, whose 227-bottle single cask release sold out within an hour.
Andrew Bird, Selfridges’ head of food, attributes the surge to customers’ desire for uniqueness and exclusivity.
“We all love the idea of discovering and enjoying something that’s one-of-a-kind, that no one else has,” The Times quoted Bird as saying.
Many customers are buying these whiskies to collect, gift, or savour for special occasions.
The trend has been a boon for independent distilleries like Lochranza on the Isle of Arran. Stewart Bowman, Lochranza’s distillery manager, explained that the art of crafting whisky often involves a touch of serendipity.
“Whisky isn’t an exact science. We can fill identical barrels side by side, and they’ll come out differently. Occasionally, we stumble upon casks that are uniquely exceptional—it’s a bit of magic,” he said.
Bowman highlighted their latest limited-edition release, a 12-year-old single malt aged in a second-fill sherry hogshead cask, which boasts a “very sweet” profile with caramel and zesty orange notes.
“Limited editions represent a growing part of our business. Each one is a unique expression of what we do,” he added.
The growing appetite for rare whiskies reflects a broader consumer trend: a willingness to invest in distinctive products that could become “the next big thing.”
World of Sweets, leading wholesaler, distributor and importer of confectionery, has raised over £18,000 for charity through the sale of its charity candy cups.
World of Sweets launched a new range of Bonds of London Candy Cups, in partnership with The Honeypot Children’s Charity, with 10 pence from each sale donated to the charity.
Honeypot is a national young carers charity and supports children aged between five and 12 years through a wrap round service of respite breaks, educational breaks, Wellbeing Grants and Memory Making Days.
Each year, 4,700 disadvantaged children can enjoy breaks away from their caring responsibilities, helping to build brighter futures for the young carers and allowing the children to create happy memories they will cherish forever.
The money raised will help the charity provide essential respite breaks and ongoing support for young carers.
The Candy Cups were designed around fantastical themes, encouraging children to use their imaginations. Among them were the Bonds Teddy Bears’ Picnic Candy Cup, Bonds Pirate Adventure Candy Cup and Bonds Magical Forest Candy Cup.
“We were so excited to launch this range of Candy Cups in partnership with The Honeypot Children’s Charity,” Kathryn Hague from World of Sweets said. “We are thrilled to announce that World of Sweets has raised a total of £18,498.32 for the charity during our partnership.
“This incredible achievement has been made possible by our retail customers, who have really supported the launch and continued to repurchase the Candy Cups for their customers to enjoy and raise awareness of the amazing work Honeypot does.
“We are passionate about bringing joy into the lives of children and young people across the UK and are committed to continue supporting causes like Honeypot.
“We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to The Honeypot Children’s Charity for their incredible passion and collaboration throughout our partnership, it has been a privilege to work alongside such a committed team.”
Simmi Woodwal, chief executive of Honeypot, said: “All of us at Honeypot are immensely proud of the huge impact our partnership with World of Sweets has accomplished in the last few years. Just to put it into perspective, £18,498.32 is enough to fund 38 young carers on a respite break at one of our Honeypot Houses nestled in the countryside. This includes three days of food, activities, goodies and more.
"The beautifully designed charity candy cups have not only helped us to spread awareness of our cause to a wider audience, but have also engaged our young carers who loved the fun themes and tasty treats. Thank you to all at World of Sweets for your tireless fundraising and support of these amazing children. The impact you have made will last them a lifetime!”