European Commission responds to concerns about the effects of e-cigarettes

Alerted by a WHO position statement on the electronic cigarette deemed “unquestionably harmful”, Stéfania Zambelli, Member of the European Parliament, asked three questions to the European Commission in October 2019:

1. Will the Commission consider setting up a scientific medical committee to study the short and long term health effects of e-cigarettes?
2. Does she believe that priority should be given to encouraging and promoting the most accessible ways to stop smoking?
3. Will it seek to introduce ad hoc legislation to regulate the increasingly widespread use of e-cigarettes by raising awareness and providing information on the effects of these cigarettes?

On behalf of the European Commission, January 9, 2020, Ms. Kyriakides confirms that the Commission is monitoring developments and scientific evidence on e-cigarettes and has already requested an opinion from the Scientific Committee (SCHEER) which addresses the short- and long-term health effects. However, it notes that since 2016, the Commission has considered that the most appropriate anti-smoking campaigns are national initiatives and clarifies that smoking cessation policies are a matter for Member States. The Commission will report on the implementation of the 2014 directive on tobacco products in 2021See also the Commission response brought to the question from Frédérique Ries (Belgian MP) on the first death of a vaper in Belgium©Tobacco Free Generation|| ©DNF For a Zero Tobacco world