The European elections are coming soon (from 23 to 26 May 2019) ! In France these will take place the 26 May 2019 and as a reminder any citizen aged at least 18 years can vote. In this context, our partner EcigIntelligence proposes a research work on the different positions taken by the parties in presence concerning the e-cigarette. So ? Which parties are saying "yes" to a regulation or "no" to a ban on vaping? Beginning of response with this press release.
THE MAJORITY OF POLITICAL PARTIES ARE "FOR" E-CIGARETTE REGULATION
If there's one thing the parties running for the European elections this week agree on, it's that e-cigarettes should be regulated, but not banned.
The regulatory work on e-cigarettes will be among the subjects that the European Parliament and the next committees will have to examine, with a planned revision of the directive on tobacco products and the future system of tobacco taxation. The question that arises is whether vaping products should continue to be included in tobacco-based rules or have their own regulatory and tax regime.
A new report fromECigIntelligence published this week reveals that while e-cigarettes are not high on the campaign agenda, major parts of the European Union broadly support the idea of regulation without bans.
The European Popular Party (EPP) told ECigintelligence that the center-right was not in favor of banning the sale of vaping products, but rather supported the idea of a specific taxation system for these products.
In the same spirit, Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) opposes the ban on e-cigarettes, but believes the impact on public health must be monitored. Socialists said taxation was an effective tool to reduce tobacco use and could be applied in the same way to e-cigarettes.
The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party (ALDE) confirmed to ECigIntelligence that his party does not support the classification of e-cigarettes as drugs because it would increase the price of devices and e-liquids.
Outgoing Health Commissioner, Vytenis Andriukaitis, was hostile to electronic cigarettes, but the official outlook could change, depending on the replacement appointed by the next President of the European Commission. Anyone who follows Vytenis Andriukaitis will need to implement public health policies for the next five years, including the revision of the Tobacco Products Directive by 2021.
ECigIntelligence believes that significant changes could occur in the regulation of e-cigarettes at EU level, given the recent new approach to vaping products in other countries such as the United States.
About ECigIntelligence :
ECigIntelligence is the leading global provider of detailed and independent market analysis and global market regulation, legal tracking and quantitative data for the electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco and alternative fuels industry.
