Brussels, 04/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - Manufacturers and users of electronic cigarettes are mobilising against a provision of the new tobacco directive which plans to regulate e-cigarettes by classing them as medicinal products. On 3 September, just a few days before the European Parliament's plenary vote, e-cigarette manufacturers and users launched a campaign - Save E-cigs - to persuade MEPs of the dangers that such a decision would constitute if it was endorsed by the European authorities. In the view of the campaigners, e-cigarettes are the first effective alternative to tobacco addiction. To consider e-cigarettes as medicinal would affect the whole sector (which is particularly developed in the UK, France and Germany), given the large amount of investment needed for compliance, said Clive Bates, a former employee of the UK anti-smoking organisation ASH, at a press conference on Tuesday. The removal of flavouring in e-cigarettes would also reduce the attractiveness of the product to virtually zero, he added, and would thus make consumers return to smoking. Greek researcher in cardiology, Constantino Farsalinos, gave his support to the campaign. He acknowledged that the long-term effects of e-cigarettes on health are still not known but he believes that “they would be substantially less than those of ordinary cigarettes”.
The draft directive, which is due to be put to the vote at the European Parliament plenary session on 10 September, recommends harmonising the various regulations in force in the 28 member states of the EU by submitting “all products containing nicotine to a regulation relating to medicines”. A few MEPS have joined the campaigners and oppose regulating e-cigarettes. Nicole Sinclaire (EFD, UK), for example, posted a video - No to the EU e-cigarette ban - on YouTube. She commented that “it seems funny that MEPS get to make the decision on this issue, when MEPs themselves are allowed to smoke in bars in the Parliament”. Rebecca Taylor (ALDE, UK) is also against the proposed regulation of e-cigarettes, believing that they are “a vital weapon in the war against tobacco”. “There is a real danger that medicines regulation will weaken this weapon considerably. I will fight to prevent that”, she said.
E-cigarettes look like conventional cigarettes but with the difference that they are powered by a rechargeable battery. They contain liquid nicotine and send vapour into the atmosphere - not smoke. The market has boomed, doubling its 2010 turnover. Last year, the e-cigarette market was valued at €400-500 million. In its proposal, the European Commission suggests submitting all products containing over 4mg/ml of nicotine to rules on medicinal products. (IL/transl.fl)