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Took me ten minutes to edit why isn't there a preview window ?

I wonder what the true cost to the NHS is with all these stop smoking replacements ?
I tried patches, sprays and all sorts of other gadgets, all a waste of time for me, pure willpower and a visit to poundworld saved me
The only winners are Big pharma's (and free holidays for doctors who promote their products).

From another forum,dated 11.6.13 Perhaps Her political masters in the Labour party have been having words with her ?

Thank you for your email about e-cigarettes.

I have received many letters and emails from constituents who have told me how e-cigarettes have helped them to quit smoking, and who are concerned that the proposals at EU could restrict their access to e-cigarettes in the future - by banning or taxing the products more.

It might be worth underlining what has been said in Parliament so far: nobody wants to ban or tax e-cigarettes more (we do not have the legal power on tax in any case ), and that is certainly not my intention. But we do have a responsibility as legislators to ensure products are safe, quality controlled and deliver to users what they claim on the package. As you may be aware, the proposal on the table from the European Commission is for e-cigarettes to be regulated in the same way as nicotine patches and gums. MEPs have yet to come to a view on how best to regulate e-cigarettes on the market and whether and how to amend the proposal from the European Commission.

As the MEP leading this draft legislation through the European Parliament, I have taken evidence from e-cigarette companies, as well as from users, regulators and doctors. The UK Government has been looking at the issue for a number of years, and gave evidence at a workshop in the European Parliament recently. The audio and video recordings of these meetings are available online www.europarl.europa.eu/committees...r#menuzone and here:
www.europarl.europa.eu/ep-live/en...ormat=wmv.

After listening to all the different arguments, I have tabled amendments proposing a lighter touch regulatory framework for e-cigarettes, which closes some of the current loopholes - such as manufacturing problems, quality control, and ongoing monitoring of use - but which is not as strict as medicines regulation, meaning that companies would not have to test and prove their products in the same way. It would also mean that e-cigarettes could be sold as widely as cigarettes, creating a more level playing field with tobacco products. I leave the option for e-cigs to be authorised as medicines, as some companies (and users) may prefer this, given the advantages in terms of a lower VAT rate, and the possibility of e-cigarettes being available free to patients on prescription.

In short, I want to encourage the potential benefits that e-cigarettes offer regular smokers in terms of harm reduction, but these potential benefits need to be balanced against the need for more studies into long-term effects, as well as the risk that e-cigs could turn into a gateway product for children. There were newspaper reports that a number of schools in the North of England have already had to ban e-cigarettes from classrooms. Ecigarettes do contain nicotine which is a highly addictive product and I am sure most people agree that we do not want a generation of young people recruited as addicts. We need minimum age limits on e cigarette sales and regulation of advertising.

These are still early days in the scrutiny process. Many of my colleagues have also tabled amendments, and once these have been put to a vote, we will start negotiations with ministers from the 27 different EU countries. Only once MEPs and Ministers have reached agreement will there be a new law.

Thank you again for sharing your views with me - I will take your views on board in the ongoing discussions.

Best wishes

Linda McAvan MEP
Yorkshire and the Humbe

Call me cynical but taking on the establishment is a waste of time, they have made up their minds and it will happen.
You get what you vote for unfortunately, and as long as people keep voting for the same people, and they are the same no matter what party they say they represent.

I wouldn't like to say what I think of politicians but come the May elections next year, you could see the end of the establishment as we know it.
The trouble is, will people wake up ? I don't think so !!


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