E-cigarettes under scrutiny as EU prepares to vote
EU lawmakers are set to tighten regulation of the tobacco industry and may beef up regulation around electronic cigarettes so they are classified a medicinal product.
The vote comes after months of wrangling from pro-tobacco lobbyists and health campaigners. But MEPs will finally have their say on a range of tobacco products on Tuesday, with the expected aim of discouraging smoking throughout the EU.
They are set to impose bigger and bolder warnings on cigarette packs, a ban on flavourings like menthol and putting electronic cigarettes under tighter regulation.
E-cigarettes have become one of the most popular devices among those trying to give up smoking. But some health experts say that they undermine anti-smoking campaigns, while a study in a leading Canadian medical journal found that they run the risk of getting a new generation hooked on nicotine.
In light of the differing views, we have decided to wait until the emerging impact of the decision in Australia can be measured. Anna Soubry
Under EU proposals, the e-cigarettes would become a medicinal product and the health warnings in text and pictures on cigarette packs sold in the EU would be bigger and bolder. Ten packs of cigarettes and slim cigarettes would also be banned.
The package of proposals, which was at the heart of the resignation of John Dalli as a European commissioner amid cash-for-influence allegations, has reportedly attracted an army of lobbyists for the multi-billion-pound industry to Strasbourg.
The vote was initially scheduled for last month but was delayed after accusations of pressure from the pro-tobacco lobby.
UK position
If a majority of lawmakers back the legislation, the European parliament must still reach a compromise with EU governments on certain points before the rules can come into force, possibly next year.
Public Health Minister Anna Soubry said: “Smoking is one of the biggest and most stubborn challenges in public health. The UK government supports the proposed Europe-wide controls that would introduce a ban on flavoured cigarettes and strict rules on front-of-pack health warnings.”
In Australia, cigarettes must be sold in plain olive green packets with graphic health warnings, and Ms Soubry said the UK would judge the impact it has had there.
“We take very seriously the potential for standardised packaging to reduce smoking rates but, in light of the differing views, we have decided to wait until the emerging impact of the decision in Australia can be measured, and then we will make a decision in England,” she added.
The treatment of smoke-related diseases costs around 25bn euros a year, and the EU estimates that there are around 700,000 smoking-related deaths annually across the 28-nation bloc.
