Innovative Technology join UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA)

Biometrics solutions provider, Innovative Technology, have recently joined the UKVIA with the aim to assist the vaping industry in their efforts to prevent minors accessing vapes.

The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) is leading trade association for the vaping sector supporting, developing and promoting the circa £3bn vaping industry, the UK’s largest growing consumer goods sector. Membership is available at different levels including for companies who have a strategic business interest in supplying the vaping industry with relevant solutions.

John Vallis, Senior Business Development Manager for ITL’s biometrics range said, “We’re excited to join UKVIA and be part of this growing Industry. We look forward to supporting members in their efforts to prevent minors from purchasing vapes. With our biometric age estimation technology we can help to empower staff to ask for ID with confidence.”

MyCheckr, from Innovative Technology, is a stand-alone solution ideal for retailers selling age restricted goods such as vapes. Already being utilised in a number of convenience and vape stores this biometric solution is equipped with a camera and a screen that predicts a customer’s age quickly and completely anonymously.

John Dunne, UKVIA Director General said, “We would like to welcome Innovative Technology on board. As the leading UK vaping association, we seek to set the highest standards and demonstrate that the industry is a responsible one. Any solution that helps us achieve this aim for our members is supported and we look forward to working with Innovative over the coming months.”

Explaining more about the objective of ITL’s age estimation technology, Dr Andrew O’Brien, Product Manager – Biometrics said, “Using biometric technology for age checks works by analysing the customer’s facial features. The unit clearly shows both the server and the customer if a manual ID check is recommended, turning red if they appear underage. This offers servers an added layer of security and confidence when selling age-restricted products and a very visible deterrent to underage customers attempting to purchase age restricted goods. As a society we need to protect the underage from accessing age restricted items, and key to this is to offer the industry the necessary tools and support to achieve this. The biometrics range of products from ITL are designed as tools to make the age check process effective and efficient”.

Concluding John Vallis said, “We have already started to gain momentum working with vape shops throughout the UK and installs are on the rise. We will also be attending the UKVIA Forum and Awards Dinner being held on November 10^th in London where we look forward to showcasing our solutions and networking with members.”