New industry data collected by online e-cigarette retailers, which account for around 43% of the UK market, shows that large numbers of older people are users of disposable and flavored e-cigarettes, the focus of a government consultation due to end on December 6. Aiming to solve the problem of e-cigarette smoking among young people.
The tobacco industry has warned that any move to ban single-use e-cigarettes and flavors would have catastrophic consequences for the nation's public health and would effectively end any chance of creating a smoke-free generation in the near future. E-cigarettes and flavors have been key drivers of UK smoking rates falling to record lows over the past two years.
Last quarter’s sales figures from the UK’s four leading online retailers, which account for nearly a quarter of the UK market, show:
The most popular flavor among middle-aged people (35-44 years old) is "Fruit" flavor, followed by "Snacks and Desserts" flavor;
The highest proportion of tobacco flavor use is in the age group over 55 years old;
Mint and tobacco flavors are less popular among middle-aged people;
The average age of adult disposable product users is 39 years old.
The latest adult e-cigarette statistics follow a survey conducted by One Poll earlier this year, which revealed that 83% of e-cigarette users said flavors helped them quit smoking, with a third People say banning flavors would push them back to smoking traditional cigarettes, which would represent an estimated 1.5 million former smokers.
Dan Marchant, co-owner of online retailer Vape Club, said: “These statistics show that those in our industry already know that those flavored and disposable e-cigarettes are now under government scrutiny because the government Hoping to address youth vaping, these e-cigarettes are a lifeline for former adult smokers." Vape Club provided demographic sales data.
"The legal vaping industry fully recognizes the need to address the issue of youth vaping, but there should be no blanket ban as this would impact adults who rely on vaping. It is illegal for retailers to sell e-cigarettes to minors , which already bans the use of e-cigarettes by those under 18. That’s why the industry is calling for tougher enforcement of existing laws, with fines of up to £10,000 ($12,631) per breach and the introduction of a retail licensing scheme , to weed out rogue traders."
John Dunn, director general of UKVIA, asked: "Why do 4.5 million adults who have spent years trying to kick a habit that kills 250 people a day, and successfully quit it through e-cigarettes, risk their lives being taken away from them?" What about the risks?”
“If the government goes down the path of banning disposable e-cigarettes and/or flavors, current vapers are likely to return to smoking, which would have catastrophic consequences for the country’s public health and undermine the government’s smoke-free ambitions Any chance. The only winners from any potential ban on the e-cigarette industry are the tobacco industry and the illicit market, which no one in their right mind wants to see."
