Gary Dibley, Membership and Advice Line Manager,
explained what attendees can look forward to during the
conference.
“The feedback from last year’s conference was
overwhelmingly positive,” Gary said. “The themes and
mood of the first conference were coloured by the looming
TRPR deadline, which was on everyone’s mind. It was
only a month away, and everything we discussed had to
be considered in light of its imposition. Now, a year later,
we’ve been thinking about the impact it’s had, and more
importantly, how the vape industry adapted and continued
to operate within its restrictions, and how we can adapt to
new legislative changes on the horizon.”
Here’s an update on what they’ve been up to recently, and
what we can expect from the conference.
In the highly eventful year since its last conference, the
ethos of the IBVTA is largely unchanged: acting as an
effective advocate of the vape industry by supporting the
creation of new businesses and helping maintain existing
ones. However, the methods of how this can be achieved
are more varied than ever. Far from a one-hit wonder,
the IBVTA spent the remainder of the year expanding
their reach and diversifying their operations, becoming a
mainstay on numerous fronts.
“A lot of companies were let down by compliancy outfits
when new regulations came into effect,” says Gary.
The IBVTA was able to consult and aid such companies
through the new challenges posed. They maintain a close
relationship with many entities and organisations, having
provided guidance during uncertain times. In November
2017, they were able to take it one step further. “In
November we formed a Primary Authority Partnership with
Kent Trading Standards, which can help us swiftly resolve
- Martin Dockrell, Tobacco
Control Lead, Public Health
England
regulatory issues faced by vendors and manufacturers.”
In a year that has seen vaping galvanised by the
publication of some landmark surveys and studies, Gary
told us that the IBVTA are also looking to create some
more of their own.
“We’re looking at commissioning a survey of smokers
to understand what has put them off switching to vaping
and how we can amend that. Also, while we’re on the
subject of smoking cessation: we’ve strengthened our
partnership with Public Health England. Stoptober last
year was such a success that we’re hoping to have
significantly more influence on the next campaign.”
The first speakers were confirmed on December 13 last
year. As of this publication, this includes:
•
•
•
Martin Dockrell, Tobacco Control Lead, Public
Health England
Matthew Birkenshaw, Department of Health - Team
Leader, Tobacco Control and E-cigarettes and
Dave Turner, Sales Director of Vapouround
Magazine
The IBVTA will also be welcoming Professor Ricardo
Polosa back, who has recently made headlines with his
landmark study on vaping and never-smokers.
Gary tells us that he hopes this conference will help the
vape industry open up wider avenues of communication
to the general public. Representatives of CAP and the
ASA will be present, in the hope of expanding the ongoing
dialogue of how vape companies can advertise within
the current legal limits, preventing complications later
on, and how these limits can be reconsidered through
consultation.
The conference will be held on Thursday April 26 from
10am to 5:30pm at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Reading.
- Matthew Birkenshaw,
Department of Health - Team
Leader, Tobacco Control
and E-cigarettes
- Dave Turner, Sales
Director of Vapouround
Magazine
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