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Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Motor Ombudsman updates Codes of Practice
The Motor Ombudsman has revised its four Motor Industry Codes of Practice to align with recent changes in the UK automotive landscape, including the growing role of electric vehicles (EVs), self-driving technology and new retail models. The updates take immediate effect. Code of Practice The changes follow a consultation with Motor Ombudsman-accredited businesses and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI). The revised Codes reflect developments in legislation, consumer expectations and the increasing complexity of vehicles and vehicle ownership. The Motor Ombudsman said the refresh addresses the 'changing face of the UK's automotive landscape' and ensures the Codes remain a 'key driving force in the self-regulation' of the industry. Bill Fennell, Chief Ombudsman and Managing Director, noted the changes will help ensure that guidance 'keeps pace with technological advancements and innovation' as the industry moves away from the internal combustion engine. The new provisions include clauses covering: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and self-driving features; Roadside assistance and service plans; Paint, perforation and manufacturer base warranties; The sale of insurance products such as alloy wheel and Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance; Training requirements for technicians working on alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs); Vehicle sales under manufacturer agency models. According to a statement, more than 7,500 UK vehicle retailers and repairers, 46 manufacturers and 21 warranty providers are currently signed up to the Codes. These participants have received online training and tailored resources to support the implementation of the updated requirements. "Motor Ombudsman updates Codes of Practice" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Warning that disposable vapes ban ‘will backfire' as threat of £200 fines looms in just hours
Retailers have been scrambling to sell of their remaining stock PUFFED UP Warning that disposable vapes ban 'will backfire' as threat of £200 fines looms in just hours EXPERTS have warned that the government's disposable vape ban will backfire. The threat of fines looms with just hours left before disposable vapes are banned across the UK. 4 Experts warned that the ban could lead to a surge in black market products Credit: Getty 4 Smokers relied on the products as an easy to use alternative to traditional cigarettes Credit: PA Coming into effect on Sunday June 1, the ban will make it illegal for any retailer to sell single use vapes online or in store. Only reusable vapes will be sold from June 1 with the government crackdown aimed at preventing youths from picking up the habit and protecting the environment. Industry leaders have today warned that the ban will backfire with a slew of unintended consequences expected. Experts shared concerns that the ban will result in the vape losing its original purpose as an aid to quit smoking. Concerns have been raised that after the ban smokers who moved away from cigarettes with the help of vapes will return to the deadly habit. Experts said that without disposable vapes smokers could return to tobacco or, even worse, unregulated vapes. Evidence from the USA and Australia indicates vape bans create a boom in black market, counterfeit vapes being sold. Disposable vapes have been extremely popular with smokers looking to kick the habit because they are as easy to use as a traditional cigarette. Experts said the ban was a "disproportionate response" to youth vaping and environmental concerns. Industry leaders said looking at other options like enforcing existing laws and education should have been considered. Kate Pike, the lead officer for tobacco and vaping at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, said it was a 'worry' that reusable vapes cost the same as disposables. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'It's a real worry that people will continue to use them as single-use disposable and therefore it won't help limit the damage to the environment.' 4 Further restrictions are set to hit the vape industry Credit: Getty 4 Retailers have been warned that they could be slapped with massive fines if they continue to sell the products Credit: AFP Further restrictions on disposable vapes are currently working their way through parliament. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will see marketing, packaging and flavours of vapes also subject to restrictions when it is introduced. Rogue traders who continue to sell the disposable vapes will face fines of £200 under the new legislation. This can be followed with an unlimited fine or jail time if the trader persists in selling the products. The Sun reported yesterday that retailers were selling off their remaining stock at discounted prices ahead of the ban. Images showed baskets filled with the disposable vapes being sold off in bulk for cheap as retailers scrambled to empty their shelves. There are just hours left before the products will be illegal to sell in stores or online. Experts have warned that the disposable products will soon be replaced with near identical reusable vapes as firms scramble to get new legal models onto shelves.
Scottish Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Disposable vapes being sold for as little as 29p in ‘crazy' fire sale ahead of ban this weekend
They are being flogged for less than a Cadbury's chocolate Freddo bar — which now costs 30p in supermarkets VAPE MADNESS Disposable vapes being sold for as little as 29p in 'crazy' fire sale ahead of ban this weekend DISPOSABLE vapes are being sold for as little as 29p in a 'crazy' fire sale before they are banned this weekend. It means they are being flogged for less than a Cadbury's chocolate Freddo bar — which now costs 30p in supermarkets. 2 Despite the products being highly addictive, suppliers are not breaking the law by selling the vapes so cheaply Credit: Getty From Sunday it will be illegal to sell single-use e-cigarettes in the UK under new laws to protect kids and reduce landfill. But online sellers are desperate to avoid being stuck with illegal stock with £200 fines looming. One site boasting a 'UK Vape Bargain Blast' is selling Flavaah Bar disposable vapes for 29p each, down from £5. Elf Bars are on sale for 49p each, also down from a fiver. And a packet of 20 e-cigs can cost just £10, which would have been £100 a year ago. Kate Pike, from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, told The Sun: 'This is crazy. 'We are anticipating a challenging spike in illegal operations and supply during the changeover. 'Shops have been warned and told to run down their stocks and I've seen some unbelievably low prices. 'This is an addictive product and we shouldn't be selling them for these prices, but they aren't doing anything wrong at this stage.' Campaigners We Vape said it showed the new law will create a black market and is 'impossible to enforce'. Disposable vapes will be banned across UK by next summer to stop Britain's kids from getting hooked Ministers have brought in the rule as part of a drive to deter children and teenagers, who often use single-use vapes in fruity flavours, with flavours also set to be banned. They also acted on environmental concerns about huge amounts of plastic and lithium batteries being thrown out, with an estimated one million vapes binned every day.
The Irish Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Disposable vapes being sold for as little as 29p in ‘crazy' fire sale ahead of ban this weekend
DISPOSABLE vapes are being sold for as little as 29p in a 'crazy' fire sale before they are banned this weekend. It means they are being flogged for less than a Cadbury's chocolate Freddo bar — which now costs 30p in supermarkets. Advertisement 2 Despite the products being highly addictive, suppliers are not breaking the law by selling the vapes so cheaply Credit: Getty From Sunday it will be illegal to sell single-use e-cigarettes in the UK under new laws to protect kids and reduce landfill. But online sellers are desperate to avoid being stuck with illegal stock with £200 fines looming. One site boasting a 'UK Vape Bargain Blast' is selling Flavaah Bar disposable vapes for 29p each, down from £5. Elf Bars are on sale for 49p each, also down from a fiver. Advertisement READ MORE HEALTH NEWS And a packet of 20 e-cigs can cost just £10, which would have been £100 a year ago. Kate Pike, from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, told The Sun: 'This is crazy. 'We are anticipating a challenging spike in illegal operations and supply during the changeover. 'Shops have been warned and Advertisement Most read in Health ' Campaigners We Vape said it showed the new law will create a black market and is 'impossible to enforce'. Disposable vapes will be banned across UK by next summer to stop Britain's kids from getting hooked Ministers have brought in the rule as part of a drive to deter children and teenagers, who often use single-use vapes in fruity flavours, with flavours also set to be banned. They also acted on environmental concerns about huge amounts of plastic and lithium batteries being thrown out, with an estimated one million vapes binned every day. Advertisement 2 With the ban on disposable vapes coming into force at the weekend, retailers are selling stock at hugely reduced prices Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
I have permanent skin damage from using tanning nasal spray twice – it made me dizzy & nauseous too, says former Miss GB
'My face was bright red, itchy - it was just horrific," beauty queen Jen Atkins recalled TAN WARNING I have permanent skin damage from using tanning nasal spray twice – it made me dizzy & nauseous too, says former Miss GB THEY promise to give you a glowing, bronze complexion, but the new trend of nasal tanning sprays is packed with risks. So much so, former Miss GB Jen Atkins has issued a stark warning after using one of the sprays just twice left her extremely ill and with persisting hyperpigmentation on her face. Advertisement 4 Beauty queen Jen Atkins has issued a stark warning against nasal tanning sprays Credit: ITV 4 She was crowned Miss GB 2020 before using the dangerous beauty product Credit: ITV 4 Just two uses of a nasal tanning spray left Jen with permanent skin damage Credit: Jen Atkin The 31-year-old, who won the Miss GB pageant in 2020, was offered a free nasal tanning spray in exchange for promotion through Instagram. But the unlicensed product came with a host of negative side effects and left her with permanent skin damage. Nasal tanning sprays contain a substance known as melanotan II which may stimulate melanin production when inhaled and transferred into the bloodstream. Most are not regulated by health authorities, meaning that the quality, safety and dosage of each product could vary, and some products may be contaminated or unsafe. Advertisement As such, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is urging the public to avoid any tanning product that is 'inhaled or ingested'. It warns of side effects including nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure, and changes in mole shape and size. The sprays could also cause coughing, sneezing and nasal congestion due to irritation of the respiratory tract. Jen knows these nasty side effects all too personally - and it only took one use for her to suffer. Advertisement 'I was naive and I just took the product,' the beauty queen, from Grimsby, revealed on This Morning. 'I used it twice. 'The first time, it made me feel so sick and dizzy. I was actually driving to work, so how incredibly dangerous was that? 'My face was bright red, itchy - it was just horrific. 'Silly me tried it again the next day and it was even worse. Advertisement 'I thought I was going to throw up on the way to work. It was just awful.' Costing from £20 to £35, nasal tanning sprays are a hit with younger people and have become a social media phenomenon. However, the process is considered unsafe as melanotan II is illegal in the UK. Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus, said: 'We're becoming increasingly concerned about the use of both nasal tanning sprays and tanning injections and their potential links with melanoma skin cancer. Advertisement 'These unregulated and illegal products not only pose serious health risks but also encourage harmful behaviours, particularly among young consumers. 'We urge the public to consider the long-term impacts on their health and avoid using these substances altogether.'
