UKVIA Director General John Dunne has written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging the Government to reconsider proposals that could restrict business rates relief for vape shops.
He said the government was wrong to say that vape shops don’t make a ‘positive contribution to communities’ and pointed out that specialist vape retailers play an important role in helping adult smokers move away from cigarettes.
The letter said: “These proposals seriously risk undermining the Government’s public health objectives, by harming the legitimate businesses who exist to help adult smokers move away from cigarettes to safer alternatives.
“These plans also fail to distinguish between these businesses and the rogue retailers that are responsible for selling illegal products to children.”
The letter said that the proposed changes would also come as businesses and consumers prepare for the introduction of the Vaping Products Duty in October, adding further pressure on retailers already facing rising costs, closures, job losses and reduced investment.
Calling for an opportunity to work constructively with the government to discuss the UKVIA’s concerns, our Director General said the aim was to achieve ‘a regulatory approach that is tough on illegal activity, but allows responsible vaping businesses get people to quit smoking and improve public health at the same time.”
Read the full letter here