In a landmark move for the vaping industry, the Independent European Vape Alliance (IEVA) has updated its Code for Responsible Marketing, now endorsed by the E-Cigarette Professional Committee of China Electronics Chamber of Commerce (ECCC). This collaboration marks a significant step towards responsible vaping practices.
The Essence of the Code: Protecting the Youth At the heart of the updated code are 14 mandatory principles, with a clear message: vaping should not appeal to minors. This reflects a strong commitment to youth protection in the vaping industry.
Dustin Dahlmann, IEVA President, on Responsible Marketing Dustin Dahlmann emphasizes, “While recognizing e-cigarettes’ harm reduction potential, we are committed to marketing them responsibly, targeting only adult smokers and e-cigarette users. Youth protection is our priority, and we are pleased to align with our colleagues from China on this crucial matter.”
Key Principles of the Code:
- Warnings: All e-cigarette advertisements must include warnings that they are intended solely for adults.
- Placement Restrictions: E-cigarette ads are prohibited in venues or events primarily attended by minors, maintaining a minimum distance of 100 meters from school entrances.
- No Appeal to Minors: Advertisements must avoid elements like cartoons that might attract minors.
- Product Design: E-cigarette designs should not specifically target minors, avoiding elements like comic figures or candy depictions.
- Health Professions: Advertisements must not feature health professionals or imply medical benefits.
This Code of Responsible Marketing is a significant stride towards ensuring vaping remains an adult-oriented choice, with a strong stance against influencing the youth.
