Parliament’s Science and Technology Committee heard evidence from the vaping industry and a vaping consumer group as part of their inquiry into E-Cigarette policy and regulation on Wednesday 9th May.
In the hearing MPs explored restrictive advertising rules for vaping products. In particular they examined why current rules banned vaping companies from making any health related claims about vaping when compared to smoking. This is despite the fact that Public Health England (PHE) and other health bodies have produced studies that show vaping to be at least 95% less harmful than smoking.
John Dunne, Director of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), gave evidence in front of the Select Committee alongside Fraser Cropper, Chair of the Independent British Vape Trade Association and Sarah Jakes, Chair of the New Nicotine Alliance.
The evidence session was covered by The Sun, The Star and The Yorkshire Post.
The Sun, 10th May:
E-cigarettes could stop smokers from quitting their deadly habit, experts warn
E-CIGARETTES could stop smokers from quitting their deadly habit if they are prescribed by a doctor, vaping companies have warned. They cautioned that allowing doctors to prescribe the devices as a stop-smoking tool could have a “detrimental effect” on their success.
Vaping has been a “consumer-driven innovation” and, while products are less harmful than traditional cigarettes, users don’t feel like they are using a medical product industry representatives told the Commons Science and Technology Committee. They warned that if the devices are prescribed by doctors they will be less available on the high street and patients may be reluctant to use them.
Public Health England (PHE) has previously said there is “compelling evidence” e-cigarettes should be made available on the NHS due to their success in helping people stop smoking. The body said e-cigarettes are at least 95 per cent less harmful than smoking and suggested that they could be helping 20,000 smokers quit each year.
Fraser Cropper, chairman of the Independent British Vape Trade Association, told MPs: “We believe that would be hugely disempowering, if you gave the responsibility to a GP, to a prescribed product, that the vaper wouldn’t have the same engagement, the same empowerment. It will also potentially limit the range of products.”
John Dunne, director of the UK Vaping Industry Association, added: “Most smokers don’t see themselves as being sick. It is not a disease, it’s an addiction to a substance. They also like the fact this is a consumer-driven innovation, it doesn’t feel like a medicine, and I think pushing it down that route would have a detrimental effect.”
Mr Cropper warned that medical regulation of one or two e-cigarette products may not appeal to vapers, who currently have a wide range of choice.
“The range of vaping devices and all its variables are key to its success,” he said.”You can’t put all those into a set of prescribed products, it would be too demanding.”
But he said members would support medical prescription of some products, if it gave access to the products among low-income groups. He told MPs: “The challenge we have with prescription, is not that it will take business away, but it will actually stem the influence of vaping.
The Commons Science and Technology Committee is looking at the impact of electronic cigarettes on human health, including their effectiveness as a stop-smoking tool.