‘A public health emergency’: Doctors back ban on vape adverts

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By Daniel Pye

Doctors have backed a full ban on the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of electronic cigarettes and vapes as they constitute a “public health emergency”.

Members of the British Medical Association’s Annual Representative Meeting also called for a statutory levy on tobacco and vape/e-cigarette companies, with all proceeds ring-fenced for health research.

Speaking at the Annual Representative Meeting in Brighton this week, Dr Samuel Parker said vaping and e-cigarette products had become normalised in communities, particularly among children and young people.

Another part of the motion called for the UK government to introduce standardised, plain packaging on nicotine products. Parker said the colourful advertising was designed to appeal to young people.

“We cannot ignore the growing evidence of addiction and irreversible lung damage,” Parker said.

“This is a multi-billion-dollar global industry undermining doctors.”

Speaking against the motion, Dr Vicky Theakston expressed concern it would threaten existing smoking cessation services. There is evidence that e-cigarettes and vapes help former smokers quit, she said.