Key Differences in Regulations and Rules between the UK and US could change the "Youth Vaping Crisis"

How did the vape industry in the US come to its current state of affairs? More and more regulations and propositions are directly attacking an industry that can actually help.

In the past few years the narrative that vapes are just as harmful as cigarettes have been a main point for health officials and the public image.

But are other countries doing the same? Or is the US so knee deep that it can’t reverse the tale that it already created?

For those in the vape community we know that the UK sees its vaping industry with more potential and better health alternative in order to quit smoking.

Public Health England had published an independent review on cigarettes back in 2018 that looked into e-cigarette use amount young people and adults. The core difference on the results compared to what the US is saying?

• Vapes can contribute to at least 20,000 of new cigarette quits a year
• There’s more public misunderstandings about nicotine
• Evidence doesn’t support that vapes are a gateway to smoking among youth

If we look back to our previous blog we discussed how the new FDA tobacco chief acknowledges the misperceptions of vapes to the public, but chooses not to correct them by recent actions.

Professor John Newton, the Director for health improvement at PHE states, “Our new review reinforces the finding that vaping is a fraction of the risk of smoking, at least 95% less harmful, and of negligible risk to bystanders,” he continues saying, “it would be tragic if thousands of smokers who could quit with the help of an e-cigarette are being put off due to false fears about their safety.”

In an article by CNN, Newton’s clear statement is this, “If you don’t smoke, don’t vape.”

There’s a clear difference in narratives between US and the UK. The United Kingdom views e-cigarettes and vapes as a cessation, and a powerful one. Whereas the US, claims that e-cigarettes are a gateway to smoking and will in turn become habitual.

This difference can be seen in the amount of adults who vape and youths who vape. There is an image of e-cigarette products that are strictly used to help quit smoking for current smokers. However, if the image of e-cigarettes “being marketed to youths” with “children flavors”, then the targeted market will widen negatively.

So just why has the UK seen such different results? Let’s dive into what the US could possibly utilize and implement in their own laws.

• The EU laid down regulations for e-liquids in vapes to a maximum of 20mg/ml
• Have UK-regulated eliquids and don’t risk using home-made eliquids
• Restrictions on labeling, packing, and advertising (EU’s Tobacco Products Directive)
• Rules on manufacturing, presenting, and sale in member countries (EU’s Tobacco Products Directive)
• Low nicotine percentage cap

If the US considered what other countries have done and what they do differently, we have the possibility of changing the market. What are your thoughts on the differences? Let us know in the comments below.