Independent British Vape Trade Association

IBVTA is the trade organisation for all responsible and ethical independent vape businesses in the UK

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IBVTA takes part in the Public Health England Conference 2019

The IBVTA exhibited at the Public Health England Conference 2019, taking place at the University of Warwick on the 10th and 11th of September,

There is a thriving independent vape industry in the UK providing consumers with a wide range of quality vape products. The UK’s independent vape industry has a global reputation for quality and innovation. The IBVTA recognises the need amongst the public health and research community for assurances that the vaping products and businesses they work with on smoking cessation projects or studies are of exceptional quality and independent of the tobacco industry.

We are proud that so many organisations are choosing to only work with IBVTA members because of these assurances.

Our members:

  • take a positive and responsible attitude to product stewardship
  • supply products which comply with current regulations
  • have access to the IBVTA’s Primary Authority Partnership, recognised by the Office for Product Safety and Standards’ ‘Regulatory Excellence Awards’ for 2019
  • are industry leaders in providing exceptional technical advice and customer support to smokers wishing to switch from smoking to vaping

In brief, what we achieved:

  • Built new connections with scientists and policy makers and renewed existing relationships
  • Reassured key individuals in public health who had been concerned over recent headlines from the USA
  • Spoke to a number of key people who were ‘on the fence’ on vaping, and were able to address their concerns directly
  • Demonstrated how members are working with services and organisations to drive success in smoking cessation  
  • Made new contacts within stop smoking services and local authorities which could directly lead to business for IBVTA members
  • Promoted the IBVTA and the independent industry, selling the benefits of working with businesses which are independent of tobacco companies

Many of the more pro-vaping attendees commented that it was a very good thing we were present and providing reassurance at a time when there are negative headlines for the sector. In addition, many stop smoking services said they would urge local vape shops in their area to join the IBVTA so that they could work directly with them. 

Why is it important for vaping to be represented at a prominent event such as this?

It is important because with regular inaccurate media reporting, the misinformation surrounding vaping and e-cigarettes needs to be corrected so that smokers can be confident in switching. This needs to be a combined effort across industry, government and the public health community. 

In the Tobacco Control Plan for England, the Government has set out an ambitious plan of reducing smoking rates, and this includes encouraging more smokers switch to vaping. This commitment to encouraging smokers to safer alternatives was reiterated by Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, at his keynote address to the conference. 

In their Evidence Update published in February of this year, Public Health England recommended that stop smoking practitioners and health professionals supporting smokers to quit should receive education and training on using e-cigarettes in quit attempts. There are many organisations across the country who may want to utilise vaping but are not sure how, or what might be possible. Many are concerned about working with tobacco companies, and it is often a relief to find out there is an independent trade association which can link them with companies that have no connection to the tobacco industry. 

We are working to ensure local authorities and organisations embrace vaping and are encouraged by the successes achieved to date, with a number of local authorities choosing to work with IBVTA members. The harm reduction potential and public health gains of vaping are hugely significant, but will only be realised if there is greater collaboration.

Chief Executive, Gillian Golden, said: ‘’Our exhibition showcases some of the many successful working partnerships by our members with a wide variety of organisations such as stop smoking services, local authorities and NHS Trusts.

The IBVTA’s presence at the PHE Conference coincides with the launch of our dedicated web page where public health influencers can learn more about the kinds of projects in smoking cessation already undertaken, and get in touch when they want to begin similar projects themselves.’’

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