UKVIA EVENT, HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, LONDON

Words: Oliver Smith

In early April, the vaping industry headed to the capital for the commencement of this year’s VApril event, hosted by the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA).

With the outstanding Churchill Room situated in Houses of Parliament was the chosen venue for the latest instalment of VApril 2023.

The campaign has worked tirelessly over the years to help smokers choose the right vaping products that will give them the best chances at quitting smoking.

Upon arrival, I was met with the organisers who made me feel very welcome, even pointing out who I should look to network with.

A large selection of refreshments and small bites were also going round as the room was filled with bustling conversations.

The event was kicked off with the John Dunne, Director General of the UKVIA giving his address to the packed Churchill Room.

John Dunne stressed the importance of making the switch to vaping for smokers who may develop tobacco-related diseases in their life.

Dunne said: “In the two decades from the start of the millennium and 2020, hospital admissions in England due to illnesses caused by smoking have risen from 1.28 million to almost 1.99 million.”

He went on to defend flavours after many recent threats in the media.

Luckily, John Dunne unveiled a study commissioned by the UKVIA that consisted of almost 2000 vapers.

In the poll it revealed that eight in ten vapers consider flavour availability were an important part in the quitting process.

John Dunne’s address was shortly followed by a keynote speech from Adam Afriyie, MP and member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Vaping.

In his speech he addressed the unavoidable questions of vaping product waste and the issue of access for children.

He cautioned the packed room of the ‘behind the scenes’ conversations that policymakers were having.

Warning of the potential ban of vaping products all together in a bid to avoid both the issues of child vaping and environmentalism in the industry.