As we have obligations under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR), Vapes Bars® is required to comply with certain rules regarding using and sending direct marketing. We understand our obligations under the PECR and ensure that we have adequate and effective policies, procedures, and controls in place to meet our marketing responsibilities.

Purpose:

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for direct marketing activities carried out on behalf of our vape website, ensuring that these activities are effective, ethical, and compliant with industry standards and regulations.

What is Direct Marketing?

The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) sit alongside the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK GDPR and set the rules and privacy rights for electronic communications. There are specific rules on marketing that cover all forms of advertising or promotional material that are directed to particular individuals. The PECR marketing rules apply to information sent via phone, fax, email, text or any other type of electronic message or mail. There are different rules for calls, faxes, and electronic mail.

Scope

This policy applies to all staff within the company (meaning permanent, fixed term, and temporary staff, any third-party representatives or sub-contractors, agency workers, volunteers, interns and agents engaged with the company in the UK or overseas). Adherence to this policy is mandatory.

Opt-in Policy:

All direct marketing activities will be carried out only with the express consent of the customer. We will provide an easy and clear way for customers to opt-out of receiving future direct marketing communications related to vaping.

Data Privacy:

We will adhere to all data privacy laws and regulations while collecting customer data for direct marketing purposes. This includes obtaining consent from customers for data collection, providing clear privacy notices, and safeguarding customer data. We will also comply with age verification requirements for marketing purposes.

Targeted Communications:

All direct marketing communications will be relevant to the customer and tailored to their preferences. We will use customer data and feedback to create targeted and personalized communications that increase engagement and drive sales. We will also avoid targeting individuals who are under the legal age for vaping in their respective jurisdiction.

Transparency:

Our Direct Marketing Policy will be transparent and clearly communicated to customers. We will provide information on the types of direct marketing communications that customers can expect to receive, the frequency of these communications, and the channels used for communication.

Compliance:

All direct marketing activities will comply the PECR direct marketing rules and industry standards and regulations related to vaping. We will ensure that all marketing campaigns are truthful, accurate, and not misleading. We will also follow any additional laws and regulations that are specific to the vaping industry.

Therefore, Vapes Bars® has the below policies and procedures:

Data Protection Policy

Cookie Policy

Direct Marketing Policy

PECR Policy

Privacy Policy

Uses a direct marketing checklist to ensure compliance with the PECR rules

Can demonstrate that consent has been obtained for direct marketing

Ensures that consent requests are clear and transparent, use plain language and avoid any illegible terms

Provides individuals with the right to withdraw consent and/or opt-out of marketing at any time

Provides simple options for withdrawing consent or opting out of marketing

Ensures that all marketing materials and communications contain options for unsubscribing

Provides a link to our Privacy Policy so that individuals can see how their personal data is processed and obtain information about their rights

Only makes automated marketing calls if we have consent

Retains a ‘do not contact’ list of anyone who opts out or unsubscribes from our electronic mail and we use this list to screen electronic marketing mail to exclude anyone who has asked us not to send it

Verifies that all direct marketing mediums contain the relevant information required by the PECR

Specifies the methods of communication used for direct marketing (i.e., email, text, phone, call, post)

Ensures that when sending direct marketing by post, email, or fax, we include our company name, address, and telephone number in the content

Procedures and Guidance

We send direct marketing in the form of:

Email

Text or SMS

E-marketing via a CRM or marketing system

Direct mail

The Company only sends direct marketing or asks for consent to send marketing to certain individuals. The individuals that we send direct marketing to are detailed in our Direct Marketing Notice and include: Customers of the Company

Individuals making a purchase from us

Individuals subscribing to a service we provide or a site we host

Individuals who download or access information via our website

Individuals who contact us to request information about our products or services

We use electronic mail for direct marketing in the form of:

Emails

Texts

Picture messages

Video messages

Voicemails

Direct messages via social media

Online marketing

We only send electronic mail marketing where we either have consent from the individual to do so or where they are an existing customer who has used our products or services previously. Such customers are provided with an easy way to opt out of receiving such information, both when we first obtain their details and in all subsequent messages.

Legitimate Interests

In some instances, the Company sends marketing information to individuals where it has been identified as being beneficial or of interest to them. In these instances, we rely on the legitimate interest’s legal basis under the UK GDPR for processing.

We ensure that such information is always relevant to the customer and is nonintrusive. We also ensure that customers’ have the option to opt-out or unsubscribe at any time.

Where we choose to reply on legitimate interests for processing personal data in relation to direct marketing, we have first verified that:

the information being sent is relative and beneficial to the customer

we have weighed their interests against our own

there is little to no risk posed to the individuals’ personal data or rights

the method used to send any direct marketing and the content is non-intrusive

the material being sent is something a customer would usually expect to receive

we have provided visible, easy to use and access options for opting out or unsubscribing.

Third Party Processors

Review and Update:

We will review and update our Direct Marketing Policy regularly to ensure that it remains up-to-date and relevant to the changing marketing landscape for the vaping industry.