THE TOBACCO & VAPES ACT CONSULTATION: RETAILERS NEED TO ENGAGE NOW
Summary
The article by Priyesh Vekaria argues that the consultation on the Tobacco and Vapes Act presents a rare opportunity for retailers to actively influence future regulations affecting their sector. He emphasizes that participating need not be complicated — respondents can skip directly to the sections most relevant to their business, such as plain packaging and flavour descriptors (21% into the progress bar) or retail display (53% into the progress bar). A targeted, evidence-based response addressing specific areas of concern can be just as valuable as a comprehensive submission. C-Talk and Vekaria have developed practical resources to facilitate participation and encourage businesses to share these materials across their networks, including colleagues, suppliers, trade associations, and industry networks. The consultation is open now and will close on October 2nd, and a broad range of submissions is needed to ensure policymakers understand the sector's opportunities and challenges. Specific resources include a consultation overview guide and a briefing on the proposed Retail Display Ban, which raises questions about whether under-counter storage will really cost £99 and whether it can be implemented in six months.
(Source:c-talk.co.uk)