Anthea McIntyre MEP Reply (Conservative)

[Adam78]

Dear Adam

Thank you for your email about the revised European Tobacco Directive.

The directive will be coming before the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee at the European Parliament for consideration in 2013. At this stage the proposals by the European Commission include regulating packaging and the composition of cigarettes and related products including electronic cigarettes.

My personal opinion is that I recognise that there are health implications to smoking and believe that there should be public awareness but once informed, there should also be freedom of choice.

That said this freedom should not impinge on the freedom of others so a pragmatic solution must be found. Smoking has health implications for smokers but science has proved that there are also implications for passive smokers as well. Advertising and the presentation of smoking at present needs to be looked at and I believe that this directive will do just that.

More than ten years have passed since the adoption of the current directive on the issue, during which time various developments have occurred. In response to this, I look forward to making concrete contributions towards the proposed directive when the time arrives.

With reference to your specific comments on electric cigarettes the directive will look at this aspect, and I myself would be very interested in the scientific background that specifically relates to the health effects before making any final judgements.

Moreover, in the meantime, I would suggest that you contact your own MP, Daniel Kawczynski, to make him aware of your concerns about the Directive and in particular the parts relating to electronic cigarettes.

Thank you again for writing to me.

Yours sincerely

Anthea McIntyre MEP

[MarkS]

Another standard reply.

See my post in your Labour MEP thread and respond in the same manner. she wants scientific evidence, then there is enough out there to bombard her with.

Thing is though, when you do I'd bet my left knacker she doesn't respond to any of it.