Nicotine nonsense
The government is planning costly anti-vaping regulations that will hurt legitimate retailers and likely harm public health.Summary
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is conducting a public consultation on a series of anti-vaping policies that the government has already decided on, regardless of evidence. One proposed measure is forcing vapes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches to be hidden behind shutters, a policy that would cost hundreds of millions of pounds and inconvenience customers. The DHSC's own Impact Assessment reveals that the display ban alone would cost £872.5 million, mostly to independent retailers, while the benefits are uncertain. The government also plans to introduce plain packaging and restrict vape colors, with similar cost projections. Critics argue that these policies will reduce productivity, stimulate the black market, and potentially damage public health by discouraging smokers from switching to less harmful nicotine products. The author concludes that the government is making policy decisions based on public opinion rather than evidence.
(Source：The Critic)
