From my MEP today:
Proposed restrictions on the sale and content of e-cigarettes
Dear Friend
You have written to express concern about the European Commission’s
proposals for revising the EU Directive on the Sale of Tobacco and
Related Products that would restrict the availability and nicotine
content of e-cigarettes. The draft legislation is now being considered
by the European Parliament’s environment and public health committee and
the deadline for tabling amendments has just passed. I hear that some
1,300 have now gone for translation into the various EU languages.
Until a few months ago I had never heard of e-cigarettes. Since then I
have had many letters and e-mails from users, have met with
manufacturers, and have read widely on the subject. I am convinced that
they can play a very effective role in helping confirmed smokers reduce
or eliminate their dependence upon tobacco. Although the long term
effects of using e-cigarettes has yet to be established it seems very
likely to me that their use, rather than the continued smoking of
cigarettes, is likely to be much less harmful to health and will
prolong lives.
I am opposed to the introduction of restrictions on the sale and use of e-cigarettes by adults.
The European Commission has emphasised that it does not wish to ban the
products but only to require them to be classified as medicines.
However, this route involves significant costs and potential
restrictions on their development and sale. It is true that
e-cigarettes can be used as a medicinal nicotine replacement therapy but
they can also be considered as a recreational drug like alcohol or
tobacco cigarettes, albeit one which appears to be very much less
harmful. It is the fact that they are said to be pleasurable to use
that makes them so effective as a means of combatting addictive use of
tobacco. I cannot see any value in allowing it to be easier for
conventional cigarettes to be sold than e-cigarettes.
I am also opposed to the introduction of restrictions on the nicotine
content of e-cigarettes. The user is the best person to judge what
level of nicotine is appropriate to meet their needs, although clear
information should be provided and the purity of the contents
guaranteed.
I have tabled a series of amendments along these lines. I do believe
that the Commission should review the properties of e-cigarettes and, if
necessary, put forward separate proposals at a later date, and I do
believe that the products should be labelled to point out that nicotine
is addictive and may harm health, but this amounts to light-touch
regulation not the heavy handed approach currently being pursued.
Let me refer to the politics and what you may be able to do to influence the final shape of the law.
E-cigarettes are new products that enable the inhalation into the lungs
of a vapour that includes a known addictive substance and trace
elements of other chemicals. It is perhaps not surprising that the
first reaction of many people is to say that their use should be
strictly controlled. What is too often missing from the debate is that
tobacco cigarettes kill 700,000 people a year in Europe and that by
comparison the use of e-cigarettes is hugely preferable as an
alternative.
As the issue becomes better understood I believe that many MEPs of
different nationalities are starting to question the approach being
advocated by the Commission.
But time is short, and there are many
minds to change before we vote. I hope that users of e-cigarettes in
other countries are making their voices heard as effectively as they are
here, but there is more work to be done in the UK too.
The UK is represented by 73 MEPs and anything you can do that will
encourage e-cigarette users to contact their regional representatives
about the issue will be useful. I know of only a few MEPs who have
declared their opposition to restrictions on e-cigarettes so I shall
avoid naming names, but without wishing to be party political my sense
is that Labour MEPs are more in favour of such restrictions than those
of other parties.
Two have particular influence:
The European Parliament’s rapporteur (lead negotiator) is Linda McAvan,
who represents Yorkshire & the Humber and with whom I often work
closely, although it seems that we may disagree on this issue.
The leader of the UK Labour delegation is Glenis Willmott MEP (East
Midlands), and I understand that she has tabled a number of amendments
calling for tight restrictions on the use of e-cigarettes.
The responses I received to my consultation can be found on my website
here and if you want to fill in my general survey on my website please
click here.
In my opinion nothing is more persuasive in making people think
afresh about this issue than the personal testimony of addicted smokers
who have turned to the use of e-cigarettes. (Mass emails of identical letters are particularly ineffective in my experience; they become simply an annoyance).
It is particularly effective if the letters come from people who live in the region that the MEP represents.
You can find contact information on your local MEPs by visiting writetothem.com
If you feel passionate about the issue I encourage you to make personal representations and urge others to do so too.
With regards
Chris Davies
Liberal Democrat MEP for the North West of England
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Anyone in Yorkshire or East Mids had any dealings with the two people mentioned?
