E-cigarette regulation and policy: UK vapers' perspectives: UK vapers' perspectives on regulation

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a qualitative study examining the perspectives of UK vapers regarding e-cigarette regulation. The study explores the beliefs and attitudes of 55 UK vapers regarding various regulatory and policy options, including protecting youth, regulating e-cigarettes as medicines, limiting the strength of nicotine liquids, and public use restrictions. The study also highlights vapers' concerns about the use (and misuse) of scientific evidence in shaping e-cigarette regulations.

Key Points:

* The study employed qualitative thematic analysis of written answers to open-ended questions, focusing on 55 UK vapers' beliefs about regulation.
* Participants emphasized the need to protect youth by implementing childproofing, age limits, health warnings, and no advertising aimed at children. However, they did not support restricting e-cigarette flavors.
* There was little support for regulating e-cigarettes as medicines or limiting the strength of nicotine liquids.
* Participants argued against a blanket ban on public vaping, but supported the right of individuals and organizations to restrict vaping in specific places, such as schools, hospitals, or around food.
* Vapers' regulatory positions were accompanied by political concerns about the use (and misuse) of scientific evidence.
* The study identified several issues that are salient to UK vapers regarding e-cigarette regulation, including youth protection, regulation as medicines, strength of e-liquids, bans on public vaping, and concerns about the misuse of scientific evidence.

Main Message:
The study reveals that UK vapers hold diverse opinions on e-cigarette regulation, with a particular emphasis on protecting youth and opposing the regulation of e-cigarettes as medicines or limiting nicotine strength. Vapers also support the right of individuals and organizations to restrict vaping in certain places, while expressing concerns about the use of scientific evidence in shaping regulations. Overall, the research emphasizes the importance of considering user perspectives in e-cigarette regulatory decision-making, which is crucial for developing robust and sustainable regulations that balance product safety with adult availability.

Farrimond, Hannah. “E-Cigarette Regulation and Policy: UK Vapers’ Perspectives: UK Vapers’ Perspectives on Regulation.” Addiction 111, no. 6 (June 2016): 1077–83. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.13322.