Today we submitted our formal response to the UK Government’s call for evidence on the Tobacco & Vapes Bill. This consultation will shape how vape and tobacco products are sold in the UK, who can sell them, and how illegal or unsafe products are tackled. We took part because we want a system that protects public health but still lets adult smokers access safe, legal and properly regulated alternatives.

What we said

Our submission focused on four main areas:

1. A fair national licensing scheme that rewards established, compliant retailers and shuts out rogue sellers.
2. Protection for public health by stopping underage sales, keeping out unsafe imports and making sure products are traceable.
3. Evidence-based rules on flavours, tanks and devices so adult smokers can still switch and stay smoke free.
4. Exemptions for genuine Smoke Free providers who give out vapes as part of council or NHS harm-reduction programmes.

Why we support a licensing scheme

Right now responsible shops and cowboys are treated the same. That is not good enough. A licensing scheme would:

• Make sure only trained, law-abiding retailers can sell vape and tobacco products.
• Let Trading Standards remove sellers who break the rules, sell to kids or import illegal stock.
• Give customers confidence that products on sale are notified, duty paid and safe.
• Level the playing field for local businesses who already follow the law.

We told Government that well run, long established shops like Vapour Central should not be penalised for the behaviour of unlicensed sellers.

What we said about flavours and devices

We made it clear that adult customers need choice. Most smokers who switch do not stay on tobacco or menthol flavours for long. They move to fruit, dessert or drinks flavours to break the link with smoking. If those flavours disappear, people will either go back to smoking or start buying from unregulated sources.

We supported tighter rules on:

• Child-appealing artwork and toy-like devices.
• Very small, easy to hide disposables that are turning up in schools.
• Non-notified products with unknown ingredients or high heavy-metal emissions.

We did not support blanket flavour bans for adults.

Protecting Smoke Free providers

We asked for commissioned stop smoking services to be exempt from normal retail licensing. These services are giving vapes to adults who smoke as part of a clinical or council-backed programme. They are not trading for profit and they already have governance and safeguarding in place. Licensing them like shops would waste public money.

What this means for our customers

Our position is simple. Adults in Essex who want to stop smoking should still be able to walk into a licensed, reputable shop and get:

• Genuine, notified products.
• Advice from trained staff.
• Help choosing the right strength and device.

That is exactly what we already do in our Leigh, Westcliff and Rayleigh stores.

Shop our regulated ranges

All of the following collections are stocked with UK-compliant products and are suitable for adult vapers:

• Vape Kits for adult smokers making the switch.
• Nicotine Salts for faster craving relief and lower vapour.
• E-Liquids in adult flavours.
• Smoke Free and support services for local customers.

If regulation changes, we will update ranges and packaging so our customers stay compliant without the hassle.

Why we are telling you this

A lot of the media coverage around vaping only shows the worst end of the market. We wanted to make it clear to customers, local partners and the authorities that responsible UK vape shops are part of the solution, not the problem. By taking part in this consultation we have put the views of small and medium independent retailers on record.

Next steps

The Government will review all the evidence submitted and then set out how the licensing scheme will work. When that happens we will publish an update so customers and other local retailers know what is changing and when.