Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

UKVIA writes to MPs over misleading evidence at Tobacco and Vapes Bill committee hearing

UKVIA writes to MPs over misleading evidence at Tobacco and Vapes Bill committee hearing
Photo: iStock
Getty Images/iStockphoto

The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has sent a series of letters to MPs, expressing grave concerns over what they deem as "misleading, incomplete, unsubstantiated, or incorrect" information presented during the recent Tobacco and Vapes Bill committee session.

The committee has heard oral evidence from a range of stakeholders on 30 April and 1 May, but vapers or representatives from the vaping industry have not been invited to give evidence.


In the letters addressed to MPs, the UKVIA highlighted their worries regarding the quality and accuracy of the evidence provided to the committee. They stressed the importance of unbiased evidence for effective scrutiny of the bill, particularly given its significant implications for public health.

“Sadly, on this occasion, much of this evidence was either misleading, incomplete, unsubstantiated, or just incorrect as reflected in the attached document we have produced,” the letter read.

“We were worried that this would be the case when the Bill committee decided not to invite any participants from the vaping industry, or indeed any representatives of the UK’s five million vapers, to give evidence,” it added.

While supportive of the bill's aims to reduce smoking and youth vaping rates, the UKVIA emphasised the need for balanced scrutiny and accurate information. They called attention to the distinction between legal vaping businesses and illegal traders, urging lawmakers not to conflate the two.

“We recognise there are illegal traders in our industry who will sell to children, and criminal gangs who import black market devices, which can contain illegal and dangerous substances. The legitimate and majority side of the sector want to rid the country of this scourge on society and see them prosecuted, punished and driven out of business. To equate the illegal and legal vaping sectors is as unfair as saying that illegal immigrant smugglers and the Dover to Calais ferry do the same thing. One is illegal and needs to be stopped, the other performs a helpful and beneficial service,” the letter noted.

The UKVIA also criticised the selection process for the committee, pointing out the absence of MPs who opposed the bill's second reading. They argued that this lack of diversity in viewpoints hindered the committee's ability to assess the bill thoroughly.

In the first vote of the bill at the House of Commons, 383 MPs voted in favour with 67 voting against, including business and trade secretary Kemi Badenoch and other senior secretaries of state.

Additionally, the association highlighted the Department of Health and Social Care's decision to exclude them from meaningful collaboration, expressing frustration over the lack of engagement with industry stakeholders.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we are at pains to stress that the UKVIA does not have any members owned or controlled by the tobacco industry, nor does it accept any funding from tobacco industry participants,” the letter said.

Alongside the letter, the UKVIA has also issued a report analysing some of the evidence presented by those who were invited to speak at the evidence session.

More for you

Britvic growth in annual revenue and profits

Strong numbers for Britvic

Britvic, the soft drinks manufacturer set to be acquired by Carlsberg, has posted robust annual results after investment in marketing and product innovation helped it maintain demand for its brands.

Over the year to Sept 30, the company’s pre-tax profits climbed 10.5 per cent to £173.2 million despite a £21.3m hit related to the proposed Carlsberg deal. Britvic stated that its growth was driven by both volume and price-mix, with strong demand for brands such as Pepsi, Tango, Lipton, MiWadi and Ballygowan.

Keep ReadingShow less
Met Police identifies four suspects in Post Office Horizon scandal

Met Police identifies four suspects in Post Office Horizon scandal

The Metropolitan Police has identified two new suspects in its investigation into possible criminal offences as part of the Post Office Horizon scandal. This takes the total number of individuals to four as the force also revealed it believes more suspects will be identified as the inquiry progresses.

Scotland Yard said members of the investigation team met with Sir Alan Bates, the leading Post Office campaigner, and fellow victims to update them on the development.

Keep ReadingShow less
Discover Britain's top hotspots for independent shops

(Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

Discover Britain's top hotspots for independent shops

New research by American Express Shop Small reveals the nation’s top 10 hotspots for independent shops, showcasing the small businesses and the valuable role they plan in their local communities.

American Express partnered with retail experts GlobalData to identify the top high streets for independent shops through ranking factors such as the number of independent outlets, variety of business types, and vibrancy of the high street.

Keep ReadingShow less
'Walkable high streets boost economy'
(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Getty Images

'Walkable high streets boost economy'

Shoppers who walk and wheel spend more than those arriving by car, states a recent report, demonstrating the significant economic and social benefits of investing in walkable town centres, challenging traditional views on urban accessibility.

The findings published in third edition of "The Pedestrian Pound Report", recently published by Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, come at a critical juncture for British high streets, with a record number of retail failures in 2022 and a vacancy rate of nearly one in seven by the end of 2023.

Keep ReadingShow less
Yvette Cooper

Home secretary Yvette Cooper speaking at the annual conference hosted by the NPCC and APCC on 19 November 2024

Photo: GOV.UK

Home secretary pledges to restore neighbourhood policing

Home secretary Yvette Cooper has announced plans to rebuild neighbourhood policing and combat surging shop theft as part of an ambitious programme of reform to policing.

In her first major speech at the annual conference hosted by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners on Tuesday, Cooper highlighted four of the key areas for reform: neighbourhood policing, police performance, structures and capabilities, crime prevention.

Keep ReadingShow less