British American Tobacco Executives: UK Cigarette Ban Has Limited Effect, Efforts Should Be Stepped Up To Combat Illegal E-cigarettes

British American Tobacco executives: UK cigarette ban has limited effect, efforts should be stepped up to combat illegal e-cigarettes

British American Tobacco executives called on the British government to devote more resources to combating the illegal e-cigarette market rather than further strengthening the cigarette ban policy. BAT also suggested issuing licenses for e-cigarette retailers to reduce exposure to minors.

According to a recent report by Bloomberg, British American Tobacco (BAT) executives said that the British government should focus on combating illegal e-cigarettes rather than introducing redundant cigarette policies.

The previous Conservative government in the UK announced plans to ban the sale of cigarette products to anyone currently aged 14 or younger in the future to create a smoke-free generation.

BAT Chief Corporate Officer Kingsley Wheaton cited an analysis by the company showing that by the time the UK's planned ban on young people buying cigarettes takes effect, the smoking rate in that age group will drop below 5%.

Wheaton stressed that the government should use more resources to combat the illegal e-cigarette market rather than continue to increase the already effective cigarette policy. The company will promote the issuance of licenses for e-cigarette retailers. BAT said that if properly enforced, issuing licenses will help reduce the number of minors exposed to e-cigarettes.