Vaping rules: Balance is key

As the UK government and devolved administrations consider tighter controls on how vapes are packaged, presented and displayed, policy-makers must also consider the impact on legitimate retailers and adult smokers who use vaping to quit. There is no question that vaping products should not be marketed or sold to children. But government must also recognise the vital role retailers play in preventing under-age sales and delivering effective age-verification measures. Regulation must be proportionate, practical, and workable. Proposals to place vaping products behind shutters could make legal products less convenient to buy without reducing underlying demand. Instead, they risk creating opportunities for illicit traders and diverting sales from responsible retailers who operate within the law. For Scotland's convenience stores, this comes at a challenging time. Rising costs, retail crime and pressure on margins are already placing significant demands on businesses. Any new requirements must reflect the practical realities of running a busy local shop and give retailers sufficient time to prepare and adapt. The wider public health impact also cannot be overlooked. Vaping is used by adult smokers who want to quit, as a route towards stopping, and policymakers should not introduce measures that restrict access for adults looking to make that change. The consultation gives retailers a vital opportunity to explain what will work on the shop floor and highlight proposals that could have unintended consequences. SGF is calling on store owners to take the opportunity to shape the debate and make their views known. Government must get this right: prevent youth vaping, support adult smokers who want to quit, and protect local community shops. Good regulation must deliver all three and must not push customers toward illegal sellers and cheap, illicit and potentially dangerous products. Pete Cheema is chief executive of the Scottish Grocers' Federation Read the latest issue of Independent Retail News