Another standard MEP reply.

[matt1988]

Dear Matt,

 

Thank you for your email to Keith Taylor MEP, which he has asked me to reply to on his behalf. I apologise for the delay in doing so - our office receives a large volume of correspondence on a daily basis and it can sometimes take longer than we would like to respond.

 

Keith has asked me to thank you for sending your views on the proposed new European law on tobacco products. Keith and his Green colleagues in the European Parliament are currently discussing the proposals and reading expert advice in order to decide how to vote on this issue, so it is very helpful to have your views and please be assured that these will be carefully considered.

 

As you mention, the European Commission is proposing to extend the scope of nicotine-containing products covered by the Tobacco Products Directive. Under this legislation, e-cigarettes below a certain nicotine threshold would be freely allowed on the market, but must feature health warnings. E-cigarettes above this threshold would only be allowed if authorised as medicinal products (like nicotine replacement therapies, e.g. nicotine patches, which you can buy in pharmacies). This document summarises the main changes proposed:europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-12-1005_en.htm

 

At the moment, Keith’s view is that the suggestion to regulate e-cigarettes above a certain concentration as medicinal products is justified, in light of the harmful effects of nicotine. While e-cigarettes are clearly less hazardous for smokers and others compared to normal cigarettes, nicotine is a harmful substance, so e-cigarettes are not "healthy" as such.

 

However, as I said earlier, the Green Group is still discussing this and will be carefully considering all views before coming to a decision. In regards to your question about who you can contact further, we have passed your concerns to our Green Advisors for their consideration.

  

Thanks again for taking the time to write to Keith, and please do not hesitate to get in touch again if you have any further questions or concerns.

 

To read more about Keith’s work as an MEP, please see his website at:www.keithtaylormep.org.uk/

 

 

Best regards,

 

 

Katy Cadwallader

 

Constituency Caseworker

Office of Keith Taylor MEP

Green Party MEP for South East England

The European Parliament

Rue Wiertz

1047 Brussels, Belgium

[matt1988]

I did send another reply, I can post my reply if anyone is interested?

[Jemima]

Yes please

[fred]

Jemima - already got him on my list as supporting the proposals.

Maybe he needs to be reminded of the Green aspects of vaping - less polution etc..

[matt1988]

Dear Katy,

Thank you for your reply on behalf of Keith.

I would like to ask a further few questions if I may. Is Keith aware that the health risks of nicotine consumption are about on par with consumption of caffeine? If he is not would he like me to direct him to studies and researches that back up this?

There also studies that show 'vaping' is 99% safer than smoking and no more harmful (and in some cases far safer) than NRT'S and prescribed medication. Again I can forward links backing these statements up.

Is he also aware that many smokers don't see themselves as "ill" so they don't see why they should have to speak to their GP to get their nicotine on prescription. If the legislation passes in that anything above 4mg/ml of nicotine will have to have a medicinal certificate, it will therefore increase the price dramatically, and as I said many smokers don't see themselves as "ill".

The major benefit to e-cigarettes/personal vaping devices are that they are widely available and this is making many smokers, ex smokers. As we know the government have been trying to get people of the traditional cigarettes and the EU want the % of smokers to be under 20%. However 90% of those that start on prescribed NRT's are smoking within 20 months. E-Cigarettes is somewhere in the region of 25%. 

And can I leave you with this last thought, if nicotine concentrations over 4mg/ml or banned many citizens will be driven back to smoking.

Many thanks for your time and I am looking forward to hearing a further reply

Kind Regards

Matt

[Jemima]

Thanks Fred maybe Matts offer to forward the links might go some way in helping him to take a re-think. Gotta be worth a try at least