IBVTA statement on ITV news story

The IBVTA are aware of an ITV news item broadcast and published online last night.

In the piece, a medical professional expressed the opinion that the logo of a vaping business should not be associated with the sports team which the business has been sponsoring for a number of years now and was attractive to children.

The IBVTA member featured has become one of the most popular brands in the UK by selling to adult smokers and ex-smokers for almost 14 years, with strict age verification policies in place both online and in their stores. The average age of their customer is just over 43, intimating that neither their products nor brands are particularly attractive to young adults, let alone children and dismisses the claim that adults are not attracted by a bit of “fun” imagery.

Similar claims have been levied at other IBVTA members over the years, and such claims ignore the fact that reputable businesses are precluded to selling their products to those under 18 by law, and would be risking their business if they did.

Vaping continues to be supported by OHID (formerly part of PHE), the NHS, Cancer Research UK, the Royal College of Physicians and many other highly reputable UK organisations as an effective quit aid that is very much safer than smoking.

Independent vaping businesses across the country have led the UK to the position of world leader in vaping and harm reduction, and vaping has already helped millions of smokers to improve their lives for the better. It is unfortunate that the media would rather portray vaping as something that should be curtailed from reaching even more adult smokers.