Over a third of UK vapers will defy any new flavour restrictions brought in under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, a poll by campaign group We Vape has found.
Commissioned after the bill's first reading in parliament, the poll showed 35 per cent of a 601-strong sample group of vapers across the UK would continue to buy flavoured vapes online, abroad or elsewhere if flavours were limited to only "tobacco", "menthol", and "fruit'.
With 5.6million vapers in the UK, that equates to nearly two million of them (1.96million) buying unregulated products if flavours are restricted.
Research has shown flavours are a significant draw for smokers looking to switch to vaping, an accepted safer way to use nicotine.
And while moves to ban flavour names specifically aimed at children – like candy floss and bubble gum – are widely welcomed, campaigners warned excessive restrictions would drive people back to cigarettes.
"Our polling shows millions of vapers are just going to ignore any measures that prevent them from accessing the flavours that help them quit smoking," said We Vape founder Mark Oates.
"If a certain vape flavour stops a person lighting up, it should be protected. Naming products in a way that clearly appeals to children, like bubblegum, must of course be banned, but there are many flavours that attract smokers looking to make the switch away from the tastes and smells associated with smoking.
"Appealing flavours must be protected to ensure we don't see a mass migration from vaping back to combustible tobacco, which is a death sentence for most users."
The poll, carried out by researchers from Britain in Focus, also showed a quarter of UK vapers would be much less likely to vote Labour if the Government restricts vape flavours.
It means 1.4million of the 5.6million vapers in the country will be lost potential voters for the party, already embattled over a tax-ramping budget and declining voter support.
Results showed that 23.3 per cent would be "much less likely" to vote Labour, while 4.5 per cent said they would be "somewhat less likely" if done as part of the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
Mr Oates said: "The vape vote is becoming increasingly important due to the sheer numbers of smokers who have switched to this effective harm reduction tool.
"Keir Starmer is garnering a reputation for not listening to the public. If this continues with vaping the stats are clear – it will cost him at the polls."
Worryingly, poll results also showed one fifth (20 per cent) of vapers will likely go back to smoking after any flavours ban – slightly lower than the government's own impact report.
Asked how likely they would be to return to cigarettes in the next 12 months if the Government were to restrict vape flavours, 11.5 per cent said they would be “highly likely” to go back to smoking while a further 10 per cent said they would be “quite likely”.
This could mean around 1.1 million vapers returning to cigarettes.
Of further concern, 4.8 per cent of vapers – which would equate to around 270,000 people – even stated they would make their own to circumvent any restrictions and save money after the e-liquid tax hike of £2.20 per 10ml of e-liquid.
Mr Oates said: "This government must understand smoking is most prevalent in low-income households and communities.
"Keir Starmer has already announced the vape liquid tax will be increased, almost quadrupling its price, which lessens the appeal of making the switch from smoking.
"Our research now shows some people feel so strongly about further restrictions they would consider making their own vapes.
“Removing a product does not remove its demand and with so many people prepared to use illicit products, the government must protect crucial flavours or face the uphill struggle of trying to uphold laws that are impossible to enforce.”
The We Vape poll results should also worry Trading Standards, who will be tasked with enforcing the disposable vapes ban from June next year and tackling a street black market predicted to skyrocket when the new laws are introduced.
The government's disposables ban has been at the centre of some controversy, with its own impact assessment concluding it would likely lead to “health disbenefits.” It stated, “29 per cent of current [vapers] will either revert/re-lapse to smoking tobacco” leading to a rise in “the sale of tobacco goods”.
In some good news for the Government however, the We Vape poll showed an overwhelming majority of the country backed a retail vaping licence – with 80 per cent supporting the move that is intended to help crack down on vapes being sold to children.
In a sample of 2400 people across the UK, 85 per cent also supported the introduction of premarket testing, to help keep illicit products off the shelves.
Ecco+, another pre-Horizon IT system that was introduced to post masters between 1992 and 1999, was also likely to be faulty due to which hundreds of sub post masters were prosecuted by the Post Office, a leading sub postmaster representative has said.
Speaking to Asian Trader today (22), Calum Greenhow - Chief Executive Officer at National Federation of Sub Postmasters (NFSP) stated that Ecco+ system that was introduced between 1992 and 1999 also created problems for sub post masters.
Greenhow said, "Apart from Capture that came in pre-Horizon time, there was another one called Ecco+ that was in operation between 1992 to 1999. Within that period, (I have learned just in the last few days) post office brought about 334 prosecutions over eight year period."
He added, "We have heard so much about Post Office carrying out prosecutions during the Horizon. Fact is, they carried out prosecutions prior to Horizon as well, to near enough the same number to the same degree. So we're talking about a prosecution regime over a 32 year period, not a 25 year period. Their attitude against postmasters and their own staff has been prevalent for well over 30 years," he said.
The NFSP last month wrote to the minister in charge of the Post Office requesting a review of problems experienced by users of Ecco+. With Ecco+, there were fewer prosecutions based on the systems reporting shortfalls, but instead, some users “were either dismissed or forced to resign, leading to severe financial consequences”.
A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson said, “The possible issues relating to Ecco+ have been brought to our attention following the independent investigation into Capture. The Department is looking into the issue.”
Last month, on being asked by Computer Weekly for details on the Ecco+ systems, Post Office said, “We don’t have the information you’ve asked for about Ecco+ to hand, and so if you would like to pursue this, we would recommend you submit a freedom of information request given that the subject matter dates back some 30 years and that is the most appropriate route to conduct searches.”
Ecco+ is the second pre-Horizon system that has come under scanner. Earlier this year, an independent forensic analysis, commissioned by the government in May, reported that IT system Capture had bugs and glitches and there was a reasonable likelihood it had caused cash shortfalls too.
According to latest reports, at least eight convictions predating the Horizon Post Office scandal are being looked at by Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) investigating potential miscarriages of justice after being affected by Capture software.
Lord Beamish, the former Labour MP Kevan Jones, has been supporting victims and is calling for the government to extend current legislation to automatically quash convictions.
"The government are going to have to take this seriously," he said. "We can't have a situation where we have a two-tier system where people get exonerated from Horizon and the Capture cases are either forgotten or have to go through a very lengthy legal process to get their names cleared."
Lord Zameer Choudrey CBE SI Pk, Chief Executive of Bestway Group, and Dawood Pervez, Managing Director of Bestway Wholesale, presented a cheque for £100,000 to The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) at Bestway Group’s Head Office in Park Royal, London last week.
This significant contribution reflects Bestway's ongoing commitment to supporting impactful charitable initiatives that make a difference to the lives of young people across the UK. The presentation was attended by Ruth Marvel OBE, Chief Executive Officer, Laura Puddefoot-Knaggs, Head of Philanthropy and Clare Harris, Senior Relationships Manager from The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and Bestway Board of Directors, including Sir Anwar Pervez OBE H Pk, Chairman Bestway Group.
The £100,000 being donated to The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was raised through Bestway’s annual Ascot Charity Race Day held in June this year (2024), which was attended by over 750 of Bestway’s key business contacts, supplier partners, colleagues, press and the charity. Each year the company hosts a charity race day at Ascot to raise funds for charity, an event that celebrated 31 years this year.
The Charity Race Day is one of Bestway Wholesale’s largest corporate events in the calendar, supported by supplier partners for over 30 years. Over 27 charities have benefited from funds raised through the event since it began in 1994, including The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, widely recognised as the world’s leading youth achievement award.
Lord Choudrey explained why the business has chosen The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award as its charity partner this year:
“Charity is at the core of what we do at Bestway, and our annual Charity Race Day cements the ongoing work to such great organisations such as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award by our family.
“We have worked with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for over 30 years and take great pride in the Gold Partner status we hold. During this time we have experienced first-hand the incredible work the charity does in preparing our young people for the future in whatever role they undertake.
“The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award inspires and empowers young people, supporting them as they learn new skills, overcome obstacles, whilst helping them build confidence and resilience. This charity ties in with our other efforts to recognise the importance of supporting initiatives that invest in the future of our youth.”
Bestway Foundation was established by Sir Anwar Pervez in 1987, as the charitable arm of the Bestway Group, with a philosophy to support less fortunate people through the advancement of education and healthcare. Since inception Bestway Foundation has donated more than £35m to charitable causes, including donations to charities, hospitals and schools as well as the funding of university scholarships. Bestway Group has donated more than £15 million to the Bestway Foundation in the UK.
Dawood Pervez, Managing Director of Bestway Wholesale, said: “We are delighted to support the work of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award which has seen participation in the Award grow every year since inception. Millions of young people from across the UK in schools, community groups, young offender institutions and workplaces have had the opportunity to build resilience and gain lifelong belief in themselves through the DofE.
“Understanding that our donation will help young people to challenge themselves to attain standards of achievement and endeavour in a wide variety of active interests – to serve their communities, experience adventure and to develop and learn outside the classroom, really aligns with the values of The Bestway Foundation.”
“The Annual Ascot Charity Race Day is just one of the ways that Bestway Foundation gives back, and we are incredibly grateful to our supplier partners and colleagues for supporting this annual event and donating generously to ticket purchases, the Charity Auction and other fundraising activities.”
Alex McDowell, DofE Fundraising Director, commented on the donation:
“We are delighted to receive this incredibly generous donation to support the DofE’s vital work. The money raised will support the charity’s Resilience Fund which offers free DofE places, bursaries or additional support for marginalised young people facing barriers to participation including financial constraints, additional needs or caring responsibilities.
“The DofE equips young people with the skills, confidence, and self-belief to help them take on today’s toughest challenges. We want to ensure every young person has the chance to take part, no matter who they are or where they live. This generous donation will enable us to continue reaching more young people with a life-changing DofE.”
The Lord Choudrey concluded:
“Charity is at the core of what we do here at Bestway – we are extremely dedicated to our social responsibility and incredibly committed to giving back to the communities within which we operate.”
As we head into the busiest time of the year for the grocery industry, GroceryAid is urging people to reach out to them if they find themselves struggling.
The charity helps grocery workers and their families through difficult times and offers a range of financial, emotional and practical support. This includes support for people facing stress, anxiety, low mood or loneliness, as well as debt advice and impartial financial support through GroceryAid’s online financial hub.
“The festive period is a golden time for the sector but of course, along with an increase in trade comes an increase in pressure," said GroceryAid CEO Kieran Hemsworth. "Across the industry, workers are stepping up the pace to keep shelves stocked and customers happy. We know this can sometimes lead to feeling overwhelmed, especially when everything else, from social engagements to family responsibilities are also at full throttle.
“This is a reminder that if you’re struggling this year, we are here for you.”
GroceryAid’s free confidential Helpline is available 24/7, 365 a year and is answered by trained counsellors – even on Christmas Day. Call 08088 021 122 or visit groceryaid.org.uk/get-help
Leading wholesale buying and marketing group Sugro UK has collaborated with Britvic Soft Drinks, a global organisation with 39 much-loved brands sold in over 100 countries, to launch a groundbreaking Fast Food Sample Box.
The sample box is specifically designed for ICS UK LTD customers, giving them a unique opportunity to sample and experience new Fast Food soft drinks offerings firsthand.
The new Fast Food Sample Box offers ICS customers an exclusive opportunity to explore a curated selection of Britvic's best-selling and new product offerings that drives incremental sales. This trial initiative is designed to provide Fast Food retailers with a hands-on experience of market-leading products, helping them identify key opportunities for growth in the Fast-Food soft drinks categories.
Sugro UK's Fast Food Sample Box represents a pioneering approach to boosting customer engagement, providing tailored solutions that meet the evolving demands of today’s consumers. This initiative is the first of its kind in the sector, giving ICS customers exclusive access to products that are proven to drive sales and offering them a competitive edge in their local markets.
Alice Graham, GB Head of Dining Route to Market Wholesale, "We are delighted to collaborate with both Sugro and ICS with this initiative. The fast-food market has seen double digit growth over the last few years and the growth is set to continue. This initiative with ICS, a leader in fast food wholesale, underscores our commitment to supporting the growth of Britvic brands and advancing our partnerships with fast food establishments.”
Sid Musa, Manager at ICS (UK) added, “At ICS UK LTD, we are thrilled to partner with Sugro UK and Britvic on this industry-first initiative. The Fast-Food Sample Box gives our fast-food customers a unique opportunity to experience top-tier products firsthand, empowering them to make informed decisions that can truly elevate their offerings. We’re confident this exclusive initiative will help our customers stay competitive and drive growth in an ever-evolving market.”
Yulia Petitt, Head of Commercial and Marketing at Sugro UK commented: “We are incredibly excited about the partnership with Britvic delivered with excellence by our member – ICS Ltd. Fast Food sector is a big part of the group commercial strategy, so we see it as a huge opportunity for the group.”
Sugro UK is proudly owned by its 90 plus independent wholesale members, with a combined turnover of over £2.5 billion. The group was recently voted number one across all buying groups in the recent Advantage Group Survey.
British plant-based ready meal maker Allplants has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, citing ongoing financial losses, stated recent reports.
Allplants, known as the UK’s largest vegan ready meal brand, has faced mounting losses over recent years. Filing the notice provides the company with a critical window to explore options to avoid liquidation, such as restructuring, refinancing, or negotiating a sale.
According to the founder and CEO Jonathan Petrides, Allplants is working closely with insolvency specialists Interpath Advisory to assess “all possible options for restructuring, refinancing, and ensuring the sustainability of Allplants".
The reports added that while the prospect of a buyer offers some hope, failure to finalise a deal would likely lead to the company’s remaining stock being sold off to pay creditors. The development underscores the challenges faced by plant-based food companies as they navigate a competitive and increasingly crowded market.
Allplants started off as a direct-to-consumer brand in 2016, made its retail debut in November 2022, listing its meals at Planet Organic and several independent stores, as well as online grocer Ocado. It witnessed instant success, selling six million meals within the first three months and becoming the second-most purchased frozen meal brand on the latter platform.
Allplants has raised £67m across several financing rounds from investors including Molten Ventures, Felix Capital, Octopus Ventures, The Craftery, and professional footballers Chris Smalling and Kieran Gibbs.
Allplants’s move to appoint administrators is indicative of the distressed vegan ready meal category in the UK. It was among the categories that have witnessed a drop-off in sales recently, falling by 20 per cent between 2022 and 2023, according to Circana data commissioned by the Good Food Institute, which attributed it to cost-of-living pressures that led shoppers to cut back on non-essential and convenience items.
The country’s largest meat-free company, Quorn, posted pre-tax losses of £63m in 2023, a fourfold increase from the £15m it lost the year before. Meatless Farm and VBites also came close to the brink, before being rescued by VFC (now the Vegan Food Group) and owner Heather Mills, respectively.