The LGA has urged the Government to ensure new tobacco and vaping regulations are tight enough to prevent manufacturers finding loopholes and flavour tricks to make products appealing to children.
In its response to the Government’s consultation on tobacco and vape packaging, appearance and display, the LGA backed restricting the display of vaping and nicotine products and extending plain packaging requirements.
It also called for a ban on the use of colours, codes, numbers and invented names that suggest sweet or fruity flavours.
The LGA says the ‘new burdens’ costs for licensing and enforcement must be fully funded, warning that trading standards services have already experienced significant funding reductions.
Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the LGA’s Health and Wellbeing Committee, said: “Reducing the appeal and visibility of vapes, tobacco and nicotine products to children through tighter controls on flavours, packaging and promotion, is a vital step in tackling the concerning rise in youth vaping.
“But these measures will only succeed if they are straightforward to enforce, watertight enough to prevent manufacturers finding loopholes and flavour tricks to market products to young people, and backed by sustainable funding for trading standards services to tackle illegal sales and enforce new regulations.
“Vapes remain a useful tool to help adult smokers quit, which is why it is equally important that local stop smoking services receive the investment they need to support people to make that switch.”