The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has launched an online survey after a number of global distributors cut off their services to vaping companies.
The trade body aims to investigate who has been affected by the move, and how it has impacted the shipment of reduced risk products across the world.
Leading providers such as DHL, UPS and FedEx have already closed their doors to vaping brands, but there are fears that more distributors could follow in their footsteps.
This comes in the wake of America’s controversial ‘Vape Mail Ban’, which prevents the US Postal Service (USPS) from carrying e-cigarettes.
It also extends the current prohibition on shipping tobacco and cigarettes to include vape products.
Critics of the ban called it ‘bitterly disappointing’, stressing that it the regulations could limit access to less harmful alternatives and could drive vapers back to smoking.
John Dunne, Director General of the UKVIA, said:
“We are extremely concerned to hear of any disruption to deliveries of vaping products by our members, or any other businesses in this sector.
“We will be closely looking into the response to this survey, to gauge the severity of the problems faced by businesses.”
John Dunne, UKVIA
Dunne hopes that by hearing first-hand accounts from affected brands, the UKVIA will be in a better position to address these concerns, on behalf of its members, as well as the wider industry.
He said: “I would encourage everyone eligible to take part in the survey, or to get in contact with the UKVIA directly, to flag up any individual logistics issues.”
The survey can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/2YYZYJW
