Councils urge Government to close vape ‘loopholes’ as new rules take shape | Public Sector Executive

Local authorities, led by the Local Government Association (LGA), are urging the Government to make forthcoming tobacco and vaping regulations robust enough to prevent manufacturers from exploiting loopholes that appeal to young people. The LGA supports tighter controls on display, packaging, and marketing but warns that poorly drafted rules could leave gaps. It calls for a single national sell-by date, a ban on codes, colours, numbers, and invented names that mimic sweet or fruity flavours, plain packaging across all tobacco, vaping, herbal smoking products, and cigarette papers (including filters, shelf labels, and accessories), and extending restrictions to online listings and vape-related apps. It also seeks mandatory waste disposal information on vaping products, a single consolidated set of regulations, and a retail licensing scheme. The LGA raises concerns about the financial burden on councils and urges full funding through a recurring settlement, plus retention of income from fixed penalty notices and licensing. It notes that Trading Standards funding has fallen by almost 50% in 15 years. The LGA also stresses that vaping helps adult smokers quit and wants display exemptions widened to local stop-smoking services and NHS settings. Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the LGA’s Health and Wellbeing Committee, said measures must be enforceable, watertight, and backed by sustainable funding, while stop-smoking services need investment to help adults switch.

(Source：Public Sector Executive)