Smokers are losing faith in vaping due to negative headlines and studies, a lack of information on its harm profile, and the growing black market. This distrust towards vaping in the smoking community was revealed by a survey commissioned by leading market research company One Poll. Of the 2,000 respondents, 13% showed no trust in vaping at all while 45% believed that the cessation tool came with the same risks as cigarettes. Furthermore, nearly one in five adult smokers believed vaping was actually more harmful.
What is even more concerning is that over a third of those surveyed said that a lack of trust could prevent them from attempting to quit smoking through vaping. This presents a significant challenge not just for public health but for retailers as well. Retailers must remain vigilant to ensure that only approved products are stocked and also support the creation of an industry-wide harm profile rating system. This rating system, currently being developed by an independent panel of science, smoking cessation, and compliance experts from the UK and the USA, would enable customers to make informed decisions based on a product’s harm ‘rating’.
Retailers must take action and rebuild consumer trust by ensuring that only legal products are sold, as a minority of ill-intentioned sellers are dishing out illegal products to turn a quick profit. They can also make a difference by providing better communication on the potential benefits and effects of vaping as an alternative to smoking through public health campaigns. Retailers should also educate their staff on vaping information and credible resources, so they can offer guidance to customers.
In summary, retailers must take heed of the concerns raised among the smoking community. Failure to do so could have devastating impacts on businesses in this fast-growing sector. If people don’t trust the product, they’re not going to buy it, and that’s not good for business. Therefore, retailers must remain vigilant and support the creation of an industry-wide harm profile rating system to rebuild consumer trust.