The budget. Not enough

Today the Chancellor removed business-rates relief from vape shops. It sends a signal that taxpayers shouldn’t be subsidising businesses that contribute very little to their communities.

But changing a shop’s rates bill won’t tell us what’s inside a vape, won’t stop a rogue retailer selling an illegal vape to a child, and it won’t give authorities the power to make sure that person can’t sell more anymore vapes.

The Government already has the power to introduce stronger safeguards but it’s stalling.

It should act now by:
•⁠  ⁠Licensing every shop and online business selling vapes
•⁠  ⁠Suspending or revoking the licences of repeat offenders
•⁠  ⁠Requiring manufacturers to fund independent product testing
•⁠  ⁠Giving Trading Standards the resources and powers they need to enforce the law

Today’s Budget recognises the spread of vape shops damages the British high street, but Ministers now have to tackle what those shops are selling and who they’re selling it to.

If they think it’s serious enough to take tax relief from vape shops, it’s serious enough to bring forward licensing and product testing.