Breaking News: Vaper Activism Pays Off with EU Vote Against Ecig Ban

Breaking News: Vaper Activism Pays Off with EU Vote Against Ecig Ban

by: James Dunworth

Back in July, when a EU committee voted for the ban on e-cigarettes, I wrote that the fight would go on.

It did, with a huge wave of vapers across Europe writing to their MEPs, many of whom reported receiving hundreds of letters from constituents.

Vapers also garnered support from some MEPs, including the very active Rebecca Taylor of the Lib Dems and Martin Callanan of the Conservatives, who not only supported vapers but advised us on how to campaign against the ban.

Many of the letters were so informed that some anti-nicotine campaigners claim they couldn't possibly come from ordinary e-cigarette users but must be from tobacco stooges.

Many vapers also indicated that they were prepared to change their vote to defend their right to vape:

All this work has paid off.

Today, the EU has voted against medicalising electronic cigarettes.

As Dr Farsalinos wrote on e-cigarette research:

In what should be considered a historic moment, the European Parliament rejected the proposal of the ENVI committee to regulate e-cigarette as medications. The decision allows some regulation (which is of course essential) without jeopardizing the existence, evolution and accessibility of e-cigarettes.

Source: E Cigarette Research

Once again, unfortunately, the battle is not over.

The Electronic Cigarette Industry Trade Associations believes the regulations are not ideal (but can be improved upon) while there are threats in the UK from the big pharm dominated MHRA. Clive Bates, former director of Action on Smoking and Health, has argued that the amendment that was passed (170) is far from ideal, although better than medicilising e-cigarettes.

But if you were one of the thousands who wrote to your MEPs, and helped defeat medicalisation - Well Done!