UKV SHUTDOWN TO GUARANTEE HELP

[jacquif]

The response from my local MP - not very comforting.

Thank you for contacting me recently regarding the revised EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) and specifically how this will affect electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes).

I appreciate that e-cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular in the UK and that there is evidence from a variety of sources that they can help people to stop or reduce smoking. It is important, though, that there is regulation in place to ensure these products meet quality and safety standards and, as they are relatively new to the market, that there is further research and study of the pros and cons of e-cigarettes.

As you may be aware, the European Parliament voted on the revised Tobacco Products Directive on 8th October and rejected the European Commission's original proposals which would have seen e-cigarettes classed as medicinal products throughout the EU. These proposals will now be negotiated between the European Council of Ministers, of which the UK Government is a member, and are expected to be implemented in the UK in 2016. I understand that the UK Government intends to argue that e-cigarettes should be classed as medicinal products during these negotiations.

The Medical Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the body responsible for regulating all medicine and medical services in the UK, has also recently held a consultation into the regulation of nicotine containing products such as e-cigarettes. The consultation found that there was clear support for increased regulation from health bodies and trading standards and the MHRA have recommended that e-cigarettes should be regulated as medicinal products in the UK in order to ensure they are safe and work effectively. The MHRA have stated that they plan to regulate e-cigarettes as medicinal products in the UK from 2016, pending negotiations on the EU TPD.

I know that many of the estimated 650,000 users of e-cigarettes (also known as 'vapers') in the UK have found e-cigarettes a helpful way to either stop smoking or to reduce the harm of smoking, and are concerned that licensing e-cigarettes as medicinal products rather than consumer goods may make it harder for people to switch from cigarettes to e-cigarettes.

It is important that the Government listen to these concerns as negotiations over the EU TPD continue and carefully study the available evidence.

I can assure you that I will continue to follow this issue closely and I thank you once again for writing to me and sharing your views.

Yours sincerely,

Catherine McKinnell MP

[manicmedic]

Some of us have interests in the classies over there. I am also persistently signing petitions and tweeting, do they think we can't do both while browsing?

[Matt Gluggles]

It was pre-planned and I agree with the decision.

There was a view that the many of the people posting did not appear to be fully aware of the seriousness of the political situation.

Vaping is about to be banned (if we do not stop it). The threat to us is very real and immediate.

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[apostle51]

Meh,the ukv office staff have a habit recently of forcing their personal ideals on the membership so this stunt isn't really suprising, for what good it will do.

I said on ecf over 5 years ago these things will be banned, not that i want them to be but they are so good as a cigarette alternative that once they got popular the lost tax revenue would ruffle feathers. Ive kind of resigned myself to the fact this is a short lived success story. This country isnt a democracy whatever it says on the tin.

[jordan]

Back up and running again now