Smart vapes with built-in safeguards to prevent underage usage may soon hit the market following the enactment of the groundbreaking Tobacco and Vapes act. This legislation empowers the Government to compel manufacturers to integrate age verification technology into their products.
Members of Parliament are urging the authorities to leverage these new regulatory powers to ensure that vaping companies incorporate digital child locks on their devices. Concerns have been raised about the potential “gamification” of e-cigarettes, where devices could feature games or smart functionalities that incentivize usage.
Technological solutions such as age verification tools and “geofencing,” which restricts vaping in sensitive areas like schools and playgrounds, are already feasible. The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Responsible Vaping is advocating for the Government to oversee the technology and software within vape devices and their distribution.
APPG chair Euan Stainbank emphasized the importance of preventing young individuals from accessing vapes while acknowledging their role in aiding adult smokers to quit. The Government’s expanded authority should not only manage risks but also enhance protections from sales to usage points.
Lawmakers are pushing for the development of smart vape technologies, including Bluetooth-enabled age locks, app-based verification systems, and intelligent restrictions that validate users’ ages before device operation. These efforts align with recent initiatives to crack down on underage vaping and enforce stricter regulations on retailers.
Former Health Secretary Lord Andrew Lansley highlighted the need for advanced technology that limits vape usage to verified adults, given the prevalence of underage vaping through retail channels. The forthcoming enforcement under the Tobacco and Vapes Act will address advertising practices and potentially mandate plain packaging and concealed display for vapes, mirroring regulations on tobacco products.
In response to concerns about marketing vapes to minors, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, emphasized the Act’s provisions to curb such practices. The Government’s upcoming consultation will further explore measures to restrict vape advertising and visibility in retail settings.