UKVIA calls for vaping to be given ‘essential status’ during lockdown

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The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) is calling on the government to consider classifying vape shops as essential retail, as the UK enters a new national lockdown.

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The trade body believes ensuring that smokers can access the customer service, experience, knowledge, and advice that is offered in stores during lockdown is vitally important to helping smokers quit.

John Dunne, director-general of the UKVIA, said: “It’s not just about providing a lifeline to vape businesses during lockdown, but also to vapers and smokers for whom vaping represents a life-changing decision.

“Whilst we fully recognise the need for this latest lockdown, as the Covid-19 situation worsens across many parts of the country, the vaping industry should be seen as a sector which provides essential goods and services.”

He added: “We take safety very seriously and vape retail stores are already well equipped to be Covid compliant. Vape stores, for example, are able to control the number of customers in a store at any one time. We want to make sure that smokers are supported at this difficult time, and that those who already vape can continue to gain access to vape devices, e-liquids, and specialist advice in person.”