The representatives of the European Union voted Wednesday in Brussels an agreement, at least, on the use of electronic cigarettes. Free sale, as in France, remains authorized.
They finally managed to agree. The various institutions that make up the European Union found an agreement on Wednesday to regulate the trade in electronic cigarettes. A “minimum” compromise, some commentators are already saying. They would be 7 million in Europe to vape. However, with these first binding measures for the member states, it is the beginning of a European legislation on the e-cigarette which begins to take shape. It acts the prohibition of sale to minors but authorizes trade in specialized stores.
No limitation of aromas
First of all, the text of this directive approved by the Member States, in agreement with the Parliament, maintains the diversity of aromas, while controlling the quality of the ingredients. This is a victory for vapers, but also for many French doctors, for whom “this attractiveness” is a possible way out towards tobacco and its increased risks compared to the e-cigarette..
The Council of Ministers, which for its part wished to restrict the current range of tastes available, therefore suffered a defeat. Attracted by these flavors, the institution already saw it for teenagers, “a gateway to tobacco and to nicotine addiction. »In the end, fans of e-cigarettes taste piña colada, barbapapa, or Energy Drink can take a breath!
States may or may not make it a drug
In addition, the drug status, a time considered for the e-cigarette, has been decided. Thus, the Member States which already assimilate it to a medicinal product will be able to continue to do so, as is the case for nicotine substitutes, the agreement specifies. In these countries, manufacturers will have to undergo a “long and expensive” marketing authorization application procedure, as explained yesterday in why actor Prof. Bertrand Dautzenberg, author of the first French report on the e-cigarette.
This decision will not, however, prevent each country from making it a tobacco product if it wishes. And secondly, to reserve the sale to tobacconists.
The French nicotine rate remains authorized
Indeed, the maximum authorized rate of nicotine has been set at 20mg / ml, this is the level equivalent to the rate currently authorized in France. For its part, the maximum capacity of the cartridges is fixed at 2ml. It allows “users to access an offer that meets their needs and to regulate their nicotine consumption”, already rejoice the vaping associations. The Member States which had wished at the beginning of December to limit the nicotine concentration in refill products to 5 mg / ml therefore did not succeed. This ceiling has been deemed insufficient from the start to meet the needs of former heavy smokers, according to some tobacco specialists.
Better labeling should emerge
Finally, the directive finally establishes a common base of information on the product “to be defined” which will ensure that users are properly informed. The consumer demand for transparency has therefore been heard. A relief undoubtedly for Pr Bertrand Dautzenberg who hoped to see progress of Europe during the day on this subject.
Listen to Prof. Bertrand Dautzenberg : ” Everyone wants there to be clear and consistent information on the labeling of e-cigarettes. It is unanimous, from the producer to the consumer, including the doctor… “
In the end, the compromise reached between the various institutions will still have to receive the final green light from the European Parliament and the approval of the Member States before having the force of law. As soon as the directive is adopted, states will have two years to transpose it into their national legislation. The European Commission will also have to present two years after the adoption of the text a report on the health risks of e-cigarettes.
But while waiting for these upcoming deadlines, vapers are savoring their victory. On the side of the Collective of Electronic Cigarette Actors (CACE), we welcome, for example, “a specific and balanced framework which will allow the electronic cigarette to play its role as an alternative to tobacco”
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