VAPE marketing aimed at children needs to be stopped, a backbencher has said, as she urged the government to address the issue in its work to ban disposable e-cigarettes.
Deputy Lucy Stephenson sparked discussion on social media after reposting an image of a “Toys & Vape” store in the UK and pointing out that there was “nothing legally” to prevent similar marketing strategies in the Island.
She also raised concerns about two shops side by side in St Peter, run by the same retailer, one of which sells vapes, and the other milkshakes.
Deputy Stephenson said: “Concerns have been raised to Deputies and Constables as well.
“It’s a clear marketing strategy aimed at children and needs to be stopped. Currently there’s nothing legally to prevent it locally, apparently. That needs to change ASAP.”
But in a statement, the business owner stressed that they are “two separate shops that are totally independent”.
He added: “I have gone to great lengths to ensure that the vapes are not visible from the milkshake shop next door. These include covering the windows totally and building a partition wall between them . You cannot enter the vape shop unless you are 18 and we always ask for identification.”
He added: “My view is that a vape shop is better [because] children are not allowed in. Now you can go into any convenience store including most supermarkets, petrol stations and purchase sweets, chocolates, cigarettes and alcohol, and vapes are in full view to children on the counter next to the tills.
“Surely a dedicated vape shop, that only allows adults through its doors, is safer and offers more protection for children than other alternatives offered in the Island. If people have concerns maybe addressing the other shops/supermarkets etc would be more beneficial.
“I would also invite anyone to pop in and see for themselves and I would be happy to talk to them.”
But Deputy Stephenson said she believed the shop was “targeting two very different products at the same market”.
She added: “My first aim is to find out the scope and timing for the work being undertaken by the government on a ban on disposable vapes, and whether this will include controls on advertising and packaging for vapes which would continue to be allowed to be sold under the proposed new measures.
“If there are gaps that I think exist in those proposals or that the work isn’t being prioritised, then of course I will look at proposing potential solutions myself.
“However, at this stage the government is best placed to undertake the work needed to address this issue and I would urge them to do so as urgently as possible.”
St Peter Constable Richard Vibert, who is also Children’s Minister, said he had spoken with the owner of the shop, who stressed that he did not serve anyone who was under age and there were separate doors to the two sides of the business.
“He has tried to limit the impact of one side of the business on the other,” he said, adding: “It is a retail business, so there is nothing the parish can do to actually stop it, but I know people are unhappy.”
He added: “There are plans for government to ban single-use vapes, which are the main product sold in that shop, so I would imagine that would impact it anyway.”
“It would be very difficult to legislate around selling vapes alongside food, especially when it happens in supermarkets and garages too.
“But the discussion should happen, alongside a general discussion of how we prevent young people from being encouraged to take up vaping and advertising.”
