A survey conducted by the campaign group We Vape has found that more than a third of UK vapers are willing to ignore any new flavour restrictions proposed under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, according to Asian Trader on November 14.
The poll, commissioned following the first reading of the bill in parliament, revealed that 35% of the 601 UK vapers surveyed would seek to purchase flavoured vapes online, from overseas, or through other channels if the flavour options were restricted to just "tobacco","menthol", and "fruit".
The founder of We Vape, Mark Oates said: "Our polling shows millions of vapers are just going to ignore any measures that prevent them from accessing the flavours that help them quit smoking."
"If a certain vape flavour stops a person lighting up, it should be protected. Naming products in a way that clearly appeals to children, like bubblegum, must of course be banned, but there are many flavours that attract smokers looking to make the switch away from the tastes and smells associated with smoking," he said.
"Appealing flavours must be protected to ensure we don't see a mass migration from vaping back to combustible tobacco, which is a death sentence for most users."
The survey results show that 23.3% of people are "not very likely" to vote for the Labour Party, while 4.5% of people said that if voting according to the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill, they are "somewhat less likely" to vote for the Labour Party.
Oates said: "The vape vote is becoming increasingly important due to the sheer numbers of smokers who have switched to this effective harm reduction tool."
"Keir Starmer is garnering a reputation for not listening to the public. If this continues with vaping the stats are clear-it will cost him at the polls."
If a flavor ban is implemented, 20% of surveyed respondents indicated they may start smoking again, potentially resulting in approximately 1.1 million e-cigarette users returning to traditional cigarettes.
Approximately 4.8% of respondents (270,000 people) indicated that they may start making their own e-cigarette products to avoid restrictions and save on the £2.20 e-liquid tax per 10 milliliters.
In addition, 80% of people support the retail e-cigarette license, aimed at helping to combat the sale of e-cigarettes to children.
"Our research now shows some people feel so strongly about further restrictions they would consider making their own vapes, Oates said.
"Removing a product does not remove its demand and with so many people prepared to use illicit products, the government must protect crucial flavours or face the uphill struggle of trying to uphold laws that are impossible to enforce."
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