The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has said it is “immensely proud” of vaping businesses for the responsible approach they have taken to the hugely challenging 10-week lockdown following the Government’s announcement on Monday to allow vape shops to reopen from 15th June.
The largest trade association representing the sector believes that the entrepreneurial spirit that has seen many vaping companies transform their business models overnight to adapt to Covid-19 will mean they will be well placed to bounce back.
Said John Dunne, director at UKVIA: “The response from the industry to the challenging conditions has been both staggering and exemplary. I know that our members that make up a large share of the vaping market have been working around the clock to provide online and home delivery services to the 3.2m vapers across the country.
“Our members could have felt downhearted that they were not seen as essential retail outlets as in other countries but they have just got on with it. As an industry association, we have been engaging with Government to ensure that vape shops could open as soon as possible as the lockdown was gradually lifted.
Dunne believes that the industry will be well placed to more than meet the social distancing guidance when shops re-open.
“All our retail members have still been ‘open for business’ since the lockdown begun and have introduced social distancing measures that go well beyond the government guidance. This should give vapers confidence when going to their local stores.”
Dunne added: “Our members, together with the industry as a whole, will be delighted that shops will be able to reopen from the 15th June as it will enable them to give the critical support to their customers, and be a boost to the whole supply chain.”