The Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA) has welcomed a new report published this week, entitled Hidden in Plain Sight.
Compiled by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) and the Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG), the report highlights the scale of the problem of serious organised crime on the high street and sets out a ten-point plan they’re urging the Government and others to take forward.
The IBVTA said that it is “all too aware” of the detrimental negative effect that organised criminals have on the reputation of our sector.
It said the large ‘informal’ supply chain for vapes carries risks for consumers, the general public and the retail trade in particular. There is also a significant vape trade through opportunist wholesale suppliers, via the many inexperienced ‘pop up’ retailers with links to organised crime that currently abound on the UK’s high streets.
All of the above does not allow the traceability and assurance of safety mandated for vapes by UK regulations and standards.
Welcoming the report, IBVTA CEO, Gillian Golden, said: “We commend CTSI and the ACG for putting together this report and fully endorse their ten-point plan.
“The media often conflate organised criminal networks with law abiding vape businesses, when in fact these criminals just see illicit vapes as a commodity in the same way as illicit tobacco or counterfeit goods. That has damaged the public’s understanding of our sector.
“We have already seen where greater inter-agency working to tackle organised crime has been successful. It would be an even greater win for legitimatise businesses and consumers if the Government takes forward these recommendations.”
The CTSI report can read in full here.
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