E-cigarette sales are fast overtaking tobacco sales, as more people look to ditch the cigarettes for a healthier lifestyle. This has led to an increase in the number of vaping companies setting up as they look to cash in on this latest trend. Even huge tobacco companies are switching to selling e-cigarettes, phasing out their tobacco sales.
While there’s no denying an online vaping store can be a lucrative venture, it’s not quite as easy as you might think to start one. Did you know for example, that there are a few legal considerations you’ll need to take into account? Here, we’ll look at the legal considerations you need to factor in if you’re thinking of opening an online vaping store.
Restrictions of e-cig models
In 2017, the regulations surrounding the sale of e-cigarettes were tightened, introducing several new requirements. If you’re looking to start selling vaping equipment, you’ll need to be aware of these new restrictions.
One new rule introduced, is that e-cigarette tanks cannot hold more than 2ml of liquid. They also need to have clear warnings and labels on the packaging. Perhaps one of the most important requirements you’ll need to meet before selling any e-cigarette products, is that they need to be notified to the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Understanding liquid restrictions
It’s not just the e-cigs themselves that have restrictions placed upon them. If you plan on selling e-liquids to go with them, you’ll also need to be aware of a few new regulations.
Refill container liquids are now no longer allowed to contain more than 10ml of high nicotine volume. They are also restricted to no more than 20mg/ml strength of nicotine. Additionally, specific ingredients have been banned in the liquids such as caffeine, taurine and colourings. Like every e-cig you plan on selling, the liquids also need to be notified to the MHRA before they can be sold online.
Marketing restrictions
As well as paying attention to e-cig and e-liquid restrictions, you also need to be aware of the rules surrounding marketing.
The rules for vaping ads are covered under Section 22 of the CAP Code. Therefore, it’s advisable to familiarise yourself with the rules and regulations prior to putting together a marketing strategy. Did you know for example, that all nicotine-containing products are banned from being advertised on some media platforms? Some of the most important rules to abide by when marketing e-cig products include:
- Ensure they are socially responsible
- Don’t aim the adverts at children
- Don’t make any medical claims
- Don’t provide misleading information about the products
These are the main rules to follow, but it is worth taking the time to familiarise yourself with the full Section 22 of the CAP Code.
Overall, vaping is a popular industry and provided you understand the regulations, it can prove to be a very lucrative business venture. Before setting up an online vaping store, be sure to research everything you can about the rules and regulations you’ll need to adhere to.
