British American Tobacco (BAT) has urged UK retailers to respond to the government’s consultation on proposed changes to the packaging, appearance and display of tobacco and vape products before it closes on 2 October.
The consultation includes proposals covering product displays, packaging and flavour descriptions, as well as wider measures aimed at preventing young people from accessing nicotine products.
BAT commercial director UK & Ireland Tolga Kilic said retailers’ practical experience should play a central role in shaping the final regulations.
“Retailers understand the reality of how nicotine pouches, vaping products and other nicotine products are sold better than anyone, and their experience should play a central role in shaping the final regulations,” said Kilic.
“Their input into how regulations work in practice is invaluable.”
He urged retailers to use the consultation to highlight the potential impact of the proposals on their businesses.
“As the deadline for the consultation on the Tobacco and Vapes Act approaches, we are urging retailers to have their say and help ensure that future measures are sensible, pragmatic and avoid unintended consequences,” Kilic added.
Among the measures under consideration are restrictions on displays, packaging and product communications, which BAT said could significantly alter how retailers sell nicotine products.
Kilic also highlighted the potential financial impact, pointing to the government’s own impact assessment, which suggests vape retailers could face more than £420 million in cumulative profit losses by 2036 as a result of proposed changes to point-of-sale displays.
“For many retailers that rely on nicotine products as part of a balanced product mix, this highlights the real and material impact these decisions could have at store level,” he said.
The BAT director said this reinforced the importance of retailers responding before the consultation deadline.
“Retailers deserve regulations that are workable, proportionate and deliver their intended objectives without creating unnecessary financial and operational burdens,” Kilic said.
“That’s why we encourage every retailer to take the opportunity to make their voice heard through the consultation process before the government takes final decisions.”