Scotland's e-cigarette policy review questioned by anti-smoking groups UKVIA counters that it is independent of tobacco companies
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Scotland's e-cigarette policy review questioned by anti-smoking groups UKVIA counters that it is independent of tobacco companies
ASH Scotland said the involvement of the UK Vape Industry Association (UKVIA) and the Scottish Retail Federation (SGF) at a parliamentary evidence session on May 21 could influence decision-making and breach global health treaties. UKVIA responded to this matter.
According to a report by TFN.Scot on May 21, anti-smoking charity ASH Scotland expressed concern that the Scottish Parliament's Health, Social Care and Sport Committee gave two organizations influenced by big tobacco companies the opportunity to influence health policy.
ASH Scotland said the two organizations' involvement in parliamentary evidence on May 21 could influence decision-making and breach global health treaties.
The charity believes that the involvement of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) and the Scottish Retail Federation (SGF) in the committee's review of the legislative consent memorandum for the Tobacco and Vaping Bill breaches Scotland's long-standing support for the World Health Organization Position on Article 5.3 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The UK is a signatory to the Convention and the Scottish Government has been committed to complying with it since 2013.
The World Health Organization (WHO) believes that the interests of the tobacco industry are "fundamentally and irreconcilably opposed" to the goals of public health. According to Article 5.3 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, after health policies are fully formulated, tobacco use should only be carried out to the extent necessary. Allow them and their vested or commercial interests to participate.
ASH Scotland urged the committee to withdraw its invitations to UKVIA and SGF, noting that the House of Commons committee would not allow UKVIA to attend oral evidence sessions on April 30 or May 1 to review the Tobacco and E-Cigarette Bill.
From its inception in 2016 until September 2023, UKVIA's members include small independent e-cigarette manufacturers and the four major tobacco companies: Japan Tobacco International (JTI), British American Tobacco (BAT), Philip Morris International (PMI) and Imperial Tobacco ( Imperial Tobacco). In May 2023, SGF listed Japan Tobacco International (JTI), Philip Morris International (PMI), British American Tobacco (BAT) and Imperial Brands as corporate members, as well as e-cigarette brands owned by the tobacco industry.
Sheila Duffy, chief executive of ASH Scotland, said:
"The failure of the Scottish Parliament Health Committee to follow WHO guidance is deeply disappointing and sends a troubling signal that our democratic processes can be compromised by tobacco industry business partners when developing progressive health policy. interference. This decision could be exploited by the international tobacco industry to aid its claim to be a legitimate public health stakeholder by allowing the vested interests of profit-motivated tobacco companies to participate in the committee's deliberations, undermining Scotland's efforts to stamp out Big Tobacco. Distorting the public health debate and disrupting or delaying much needed regulation of harmful health products is at stake for the health and wellbeing of current and future generations of children growing up in Scotland, especially as World No Tobacco Day approaches on 31 May. , WHO will focus on protecting children from tobacco industry interference."
On May 21, UKVIA responded to ASH Scotland's accusations on its official website. Its Director General John Dunne stated,
"Just before I gave evidence to a Scottish Parliament committee today, ASH Scotland attempted to disqualify me. Despite vaping being the most effective way to quit smoking, ASH Scotland found that their commitment to quitting smoking was inconsistent with Sheila Duffy's unreasonable views on e-cigarettes. Disgust conflicts to a certain extent.
ASH Scotland's allegations are grossly inaccurate and out of date. They are fully aware that UKVIA does not have tobacco companies as members, and the previous member company that had an e-cigarette subsidiary withdrew in September 2023. UKVIA does not receive any funding from the tobacco industry and has publicly stated that it will not accept any tobacco companies as members in the future. However, this has not stopped Sheila Duffy from calling on the Scottish Government to strictly avoid the views of the vaping industry.
Fortunately, the Scottish Government was happy to ask me questions today and to have a lot of constructive debate on issues such as e-cigarette packaging and flavours. E-cigarettes may be the most important smoking intervention tool ever developed, helping millions of people quit the deadly habit. The Scottish ASH should follow the example of colleagues in the UK ASH and welcome the benefits of e-cigarettes as the most effective method of quitting smoking. "
