Politicians push back on Commission’s vaping ban proposals

A draconian proposal by the EU Commission to ban vaping in the same places as smoking, is already getting some push back from politicians in Member States. 

Irish Finance Minister Jack Chambers has said that he does not support the move and that people who are trying to move away from smoking need to be supported. Other senior cabinet ministers have also voiced their opposition.

The Commission has proposed extending outdoor bans on smoking to vapes and any other product that produces an aerosol whether it contains nicotine or not. The Commission can only made recommendations, however. These recommendations are non-binding, and it is up to the Member States how to implement them, if they do implement them!

Opposition has also come from Dr. Peter Liese, the health policy spokesperson for the centre-right EPP-Christian Democrats, the largest group in the European Parliament. Liese, a practicing doctor himself said:

“For heavy smokers who otherwise cannot quit, e-cigarettes are an important tool to reduce harm and risks.”

Vaping groups are also up in arms over the Commission's plans. 

“The commission is making a disastrous mistake by lumping vaping with smoking,” according to Michael Landl, director of the World Vape Alliance. “This sends a dangerous message to millions of smokers who need vaping to quit…These recommendations will keep more people smoking and put public health at greater risk by equating vaping with smoking.”

John Dune, Director General of the UK Vaping Industry Association agrees saying that

“treating those who vape the same as smokers makes no sense and may confuse smokers and switchers as to the relative risks of vaping compared to smoking.”

The plans are part of a revision of the Council Recommendation on Smoke-free Environments to add café terraces, bus stops and zoos to existing outdoor smoking bans. The initial bans were proposed to protect children and young people from second-hand smoke.