Vape advertising rules discrimination, says seller
BBCA vape shop owner has described new rules on marketing vapes as "discrimination".
A ban on disposable vapes is set to come into effect from 31 January, a licensing scheme for vape sellers takes effect on 31 March and at the same time the ban starts on the display of vapes or vape products.
Jess Dorfner, co-owner of the VapeBar Guernsey, said: "We've got alcohol shops along the road which have a window display full of alcohol and we're not allowed to have our products in our window."
Tobin Cook, the island's director of environmental health and pollution regulation, said the ban was about "harm prevention".
A ban on selling vapes to people under the age of 18 came into force in June and a new tax of £2.20 per 10ml of vape liquid was introduced in the 2026 Budget.
The display ban means they cannot be in public sight in shops - with exceptions for specialist shops that are restricted to over-18s with vaping products and prices allowed to be displayed within the shop.
On the display ban, Ms Dorfner said: "It's going to make us look dodgy, like we're selling something illegal, which we're not."
Mr Cook said: "Part of the display ban is to reduce the attractiveness of the products, especially to more vulnerable people.
"It's just to make them less obvious, so hopefully that causes a reduction as well.
"But for those that already want to vape or already know about the products, they're still available for them."
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