RESIDENTS in Bromsgrove want the government to come down harder on the sale of vapes to underage children, a new study has revealed.
The survey by Britain in Focus asked people for their thoughts on the governments new Tobacco and Vapes Bill, with many in Bromsgrove believing more need to be done to combat youth vaping.
Introduced to parliament in April, the bill proposes several changes to how nicotine products – including cigarettes and vapes – can be sold and marketed in the UK.
The Bill also includes a generational smoking ban, restrictions on vape marketing and flavours, and the introduction of new £100 on the spot fines for shops which sell tobacco and vapes to those underage.
According to the study, commissioned by vape manufacturer BAT UK, most respondents think underage sales of vapes are common or very common in the region.
Over two thirds of Bromsgrove residents believe the governments new £100 fine is too low and 71 per cent believe the the government has not done enough to tackle underage vaping. A £1,000 fine was considered the right level by many.
A total of 84 per cent of Bromsgrove residents responding want the government to introduce a new vaping licence for shopkeepers with as many as seven in 10 expressing concerns around underage vaping.
“There is a narrow window to get this right with the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.”
“The introduction of a retail licence and increased fines would provide a much greater measure of control around who can sell vapes and help keep these products out of the hands of the underage,” said Asli Ertonguc, the UK lead for BAT.
