The government is wrongly sending out the message that e-cigarettes pose a greater threat than smoking

On the government's decision to regulate e-cigarettes, Diane Abbott MP, Labour’s shadow public health minister said:

‘I welcome moves to ensure product safety so that there is a consistent standard across all licensed products sold over the counter. It’s sensible that electronic cigarettes are not banned, as has happened in other countries.

‘Much of the current international research suggests that electronic cigarettes are a safer alternative to smoking, so it is important that the potential here to provide a safer alternative to smoking isn’t stomped out. E-cigarettes often seem to work for smokers who won't or can't quit.

‘But this discussion about vaping in Britain has been held back by the lack scientific research, which the government has done nothing about.

‘We need to see age restricted sales and of course, these products should not be marketed to minors.

‘Smoking is the biggest single cause of avoidable death - killing 80,000 people in England each year. Increasing regulation on e-cigarettes while kicking standard packaging in to the long grass is a sign that the government has caved in to the bullying tactics of Big Tobacco and risks sending out the wrong message that e-cigarettes pose a greater threat than smoking.'
 
--ENDS--

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