The Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA) has welcomed the changes, which are mainly related to “quality standards for dose uniformity, non-clinical toxicological data requirements, and the design of the clinical pharmacokinetic studies.” The IBVTA hopes that the updates, which reflect the changes in the regulatory environment post-Brexit, will make it easier for vape businesses to apply for medicinal licensing, a standard which was previously tough to achieve.
Speaking about the development, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said that this licensing programme has the potential to tackle disparities in smoking rates across the country. “Opening the door to a licensed e-cigarette prescribed on the NHS has the potential to tackle the stark disparities in smoking rates across the country, helping people stop smoking wherever they live and whatever their background.”
While Prof. Peter Hajek, Director of the tobacco dependence research unit at Queen Mary University of London, said that the products will be beneficial as long as they are available according to smokers’ preferences. “Smokers are more likely to benefit from e-cigarettes if they can select flavours, strengths and products that they like, rather than being limited to whatever becomes licensed. It also does not seem necessary for the NHS to pay for something that smokers are happy to buy themselves.”
The UK keeps leading the way
The World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) and WeVape have recently joined forces to commend the UK Government for embracing the science with regards to tobacco harm reduction. While the World Health Organisation (WHO) continues to wage a war on vaping and other safer nicotine alternatives through campaigns and such initiatives, the UK has been a leader at reducing tobacco harm and local smoking rates via progressive vape policies. To this effect, whilst commending the UK’s approach, the groups are calling on UK authorities urging them to strive to influence the WHO’s stance.
“The UK is the world leader in harm reduction and provides an excellent example for the rest of the world on efficient smoking cessation through vaping. Our government has chosen a path that has proven to be fruitful, with science to back that up. In the lead up to WHO’s conference in November, the UK needs to reinforce its commitment to vaping, and encourage other countries to do the same,” said Mark Oates, Director of WeVape.
Sadly ignoring all this data, the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), which will be held next November, has become synonymous with a forbidding stance which completely disregards the concept of tobacco harm reduction. To add insult to injury, the WHO commends countries which have endorsed their framework and ideology, despite failing to obtain their smoke-free objectives as a result (such as India), and criticizes countries which have not, despite having achieved record low smoking rates.
IBVTA Webinar Helps Vape Businesses Bounce Back After Lockdown
 have recently updated their guidance on how to licence electronic cigarettes as medicinal products in the UK.){kind=link}