Could it be that the beginning of an e-cigarette crisis is emerging in the UK? Vape, tobacco lobby and parliamentary group ... A gray area that some officials want to clarify. Indeed, it was clearly requested to prohibit lobbyists to lead influential Westminster committees.
THE UKVIA TARGETED FOLLOWING FUNDING FROM A PARLIAMENTARY GROUP!
Lobbyists who represent tobacco companies should not be allowed to head an influential Westminster committee, the former standards oversight official has warned. Sir Alistair Graham, former chairman of the committee for standards in public life, said it was not appropriate for the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) finances a parliamentary group that is supposed to hold them to account.
He called for an overhaul of the rules governing all-party parliamentary groups to prevent lobbyists from buying influence in government. Members of the multi-stakeholder e-cigarette group have also been criticized for accepting brands from tobacco companies, including for the Chelsea Flower Show and the Rugby World Cup.
The multi-stakeholder group was created in 2014 by the Conservative MP Mark Pawsey, who stated that the sector " requires further scrutiny and investigation by MPs". Since its inception, the APP on electronic cigarettes has been managed by a lobby group acting for the brand of electronic cigarettes. E-Lites, owned by JTI (Japan Tobacco), as well as the e-cigarette trade organization of the time.
The lobby group, called ABZED, spent between £ 6 and £ 620 to organize two receptions for MPs and their guests. UKVIA took over as head of the secretariat in 8 and has so far spent between £ 120 and £ 2016 running the multi-stakeholder group on e-cigarettes.
Several tobacco companies sit on UKVIA's board of directors, including British American Tobacco, Japan Tobacco International (JTI), Imperial Brands et Philip Morris International. UKVIA informed their members that APPG electronic cigarettes constituted "a central element in the continuation of the political agenda of the vaping industry».
Their most recent annual report prides itself on the following: "UKVIA members participated in the roundtable at each meeting of the group this yearAdding that their members had "helped to organize four meetings attended by various key witnesses and launched an important report».
The multi-stakeholder group's report on vaping, released in November, recommends that employers allow people to vape in their workplaces in designated areas. He also argues that Houses of Parliament should become a vape-friendly zone, as part of efforts to make vaping more acceptable in the workplace.
In addition to inviting experts from Cancer Research UK as well as Public Health England, the multi-stakeholder group on e-cigarettes allowed representatives of several tobacco companies to take part in hearings with, among others, British American Tobacco, Philip Morris Limited and Fontem Ventures.
IS THERE A BIG CONFLICT OF INTEREST?
Simon Capewell, professor of public health and politics at the University of Liverpool, accused the group of focus only on the "experts" who are champions of the e-cigarette". Sir Alistair, who has 
chaired the committee on standards in public life from 2003 to 2007, said running a multi-stakeholder group was a way for pressure groups to influence decision-makers and undermine their credibility.
« I have always been very concerned about industry groups funding a multi-stakeholder group, as they obviously have a major stake in the results of that group.“, He told the Daily Telegraph. " They are undoubtedly required to influence them to benefit their industry and increase their profits. »
Multi-stakeholder groups have the right to have external organizations acting as secretaries, which they are required to declare in the register of interests, as well as donations of more than 5 000 £. He added that the funding rules of the multi-stakeholder groups needed to be reviewed, adding that parliamentary funding " guarantee their independence"
Some members of the multi-stakeholder group have already accepted tobacco company representation fees, which raises concerns about a possible conflict of interest.
Mr. Pawsey, chairman of the group, has accepted for 1 650 £ tickets for a Rugby World Cup match from Japan Tobacco International (JTI), before praising the e-cigarette in the House of Commons the following December.
The hon. Glyn Davies accepted tickets from JTI to the Chelsea Flower Show in 2014 worth £ 1. Later in the year he became one of the first MPs to join the multi-stakeholder group on e-cigarettes and remains the group's secretary today.
MP Stephen Metcalfe, a 2016-2017 APPG member, also accepted tickets to the Chelsea Flower Show for himself and his wife from JTI worth £ 1 in 132,80.
He states: I think that the vape has an important role to play in helping smokers to quit smoking, improving public health in the process" , he adds " I have not accepted any activity from a tobacco company since and I do not intend to do so in the future. »
John Dunne, Director of UKVIA, said: “The multi-stakeholder group hears from a large number of witnesses, advocates and produces reports which are available free of charge. UKVIA secretarial services for the group are correctly declared as required. " He adds "UKVIA is transparent about its funding and membership, and it is only fitting that a leading professional association offers secretarial services to multi-stakeholder groups subject.»
