Glenis Willmott MEP reply

[womble]

Fill your boots. I have written a reply, but don't hope for much from it.




Dear ****** (womble)

Many thanks for writing to me about the important issue of the EU Tobacco Products Directive, and how it will affect electronic cigarettes.

Because e-cigarettes are a relatively new product they are regulated differently in each EU country. Some countries allow e-cigarettes to be sold without any regulation at all. Others have banned the sale of e-cigarettes. As the UK is part of the EU's internal market it is important that we harmonise the way we deal with this product, otherwise consumers could be buying unregulated products which do not conform to basic safety standards, either within their own country, or by easily purchasing it over the internet from a neighbouring country.

The European Commission has proposed that all 'nicotine containing products' with more than 2mg per unit should not be classed as tobacco products. Instead, under the Commission's proposals, nearly all e-cigarettes will need to get authorisation as a pharmaceutical product, in the same way as nicotine patches, sprays and gums.

Of course there is a balance to strike. On the one hand e-cigarettes have the potential to be a helpful way to help somebody quit smoking entirely and greatly improve their health. On the other hand e-cigarettes currently can contain up to 48mg of nicotine - far more than a regular cigarette, making them highly addictive. As nicotine is the drug that makes cigarettes addictive, somebody that tries e-cigarettes could be much more likely to go on to smoke regular cigarettes. Furthermore, there is no evidence that e-cigarettes are safe, and it is concerning that they are being marketed as a 'healthy' alternative to smoking. Currently we do not have any conclusive evidence either that e-cigarettes are helpful for giving up smoking, or that they encourage it.

While we do not have this scientific evidence to rely on I think it is wise to have a cautious approach to e-cigarettes. If they are effective in helping people to stop smoking, then it is appropriate that they are regulated in the same way as other smoking cessation tools, such as nicotine patches.

The Commission proposal is not final and there will be many months of negotiations by the European Parliament, as well as health ministers from the UK and other EU countries, before the legislation is agreed. During this time Labour MEPs will be looking carefully at all of the measures and trying to find the best way to ensure that we effectively reduce smoking rates in the UK and across Europe.

Thanks again for writing to me on this important issue.


Best wishes



Glenis Willmott MEP

[Bluefish]

On the other hand e-cigarettes currently can contain up to 48mg of nicotine - far more than a regular cigarette, making them highly addictive. As nicotine is the drug that makes cigarettes addictive, somebody that tries e-cigarettes could be much more likely to go on to smoke regular cigarettes.

How if addicted to 48mg nic, would you go on to a lesser nic level, i think Glenis is talking out of her jacksie. And 48, i've never even tried 36, in fact 24 is the highest I've tried, and didn't like it.

[matt1988]

Mar 27, 2013 22:59:22 GMT Bluefish said:

On the other hand e-cigarettes currently can contain up to 48mg of nicotine - far more than a regular cigarette, making them highly addictive. As nicotine is the drug that makes cigarettes addictive, somebody that tries e-cigarettes could be much more likely to go on to smoke regular cigarettes.

How if addicted to 48mg nic, would you go on to a lesser nic level, i think Glenis is talking out of her jacksie. And 48, i've never even tried 36, in fact 24 is the highest I've tried, and didn't like it.

Don't some of the mixing kits contain 48mg/ml of nicotine? Maybe that's where she got the figure from.

[Bluefish]

If that was the case then she got the figures wrong, again, cos I believe the limit you can buy without a licsence is 75mg

[gillas]

People do use 48mg juice, and it is effective way of getting a larger nicotine dose that will last longer, ie you can have a couple of tokes and you will not need to have anymore for a longer period (suitable for office workers who can not pop out to the smoking area very often), as opposed to toking every few minutes on a weaker strength.

The fact is that the maximum strength allowed in the UK is 75mg after that a poisons licence is required. that is the legal limit.

Nicotine is a food grade product just like caffeine and should not need a medical certification.

[hifistud]

might help.

[womble]

Thanks Dave, I watched it and I've been reading the thread on UKV. I'd already replied anyway.

Interesting watching though.