VapeLyfe Magazine Issue 02 | Page 16

The restrictions on distance selling don ’ t form part of the original Directive and indeed , by implementing restrictions on cross-border sales , domestic implementation goes against the fundamental operation of the Single Market .
This does place the vaping market in a very awkward position . Age restrictions aside for the moment , some Member States are of the opinion that “ internet sales can not be adequately overseen ”; meaning that the competent authority in charge of the implementation won ’ t know , for sure , if the product being sold meets the definitions enshrined in domestic legislation .
This could also be interpreted as being lazy . Officials don ’ t want the hassle of having to monitor online sales , so it ’ s simpler for them to prohibit them . This does of course make it difficult for vapers in those Member States to obtain the products that they want to use .
But the story doesn ’ t end there . If restrictions on product availability through online and distance selling wasn ’ t enough , there ’ s also restrictions on flavours . With certain ingredients being outright blacklisted in addition to the provisions of the Directive - a la Germany - some Member States , most notably Finland , are only allowing tobacco flavour . This is based on the assertion that the measure would reduce appeal among youth , but still leave the products available for adults who choose to use them .
allowed and flavour restrictions . What else ?
Costs . Domestic legislation often likes to see a revenue stream , and the implementation of the TPD is no different . In order to have a product placed on the market , retailers in each Member State need to notify the ‘ competent authority ’ - the MHRA in the UK for instance - and pay for the privilege .
These costs vary wildly across the EU . Before the Belgian implementation was suspended by Royal Decree , the figure of € 4,000 formed the cost of notification per product for a retailer . Though France looks to go one better than Belgium . Specifically € 3,600 more . In contrast , the UK MHRA charges £ 220 for a new product ( roughly € 250 ), £ 110 for a modification plus a £ 60 per year “ annual service charge ”.
The disparity in notification charges will have to come from somewhere , and the most obvious choice for many retailers is to bump up prices as far as their customers allow . The end result is the same .
The State of the Union is a puzzle missing many centre pieces and corners , leaving vapers with fewer choices .
To find out more about Paul , and his work at NNA , please go to website http :// nnalliance . org / nna-uk / board / 14-trustees / 99-paul-barnes now .
So we have limits on the type of products available in smaller tank sizes and refill bottles . There ’ s limits on the ingredients

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