Proposed UK legislation

[Kate]

The UK Department of Health appears to have been asked to change legislation in order to class PVs as tobacco products so that smoking or tobacco control laws can be used to restrict their use.

Quote:... the document addresses is the challenge in the enforcement of Smokefree legislation in public places:

“The inability to easily distinguish between a normal and an e-cigarette leads to confusion and upset amongst the public which can give rise to complaints as they believe that breaches of the legislation are taking place, and they are being subjected to cigarette smoke whilst in a no-smoking area. The use of e-cigarettes in premises where the law prohibits smoking could well encourage people to smoke, either in the mistaken belief that the law does not apply or is not being enforced, or that the individuals concerned will not be noticed and reported. There is also real potential for public order offences being committed where individuals are approached and asked or told to stop and this is challenged.”

After this the organisations go on to comment that they believe that electronic cigarettes should be classified as tobacco products and subject to the relevant legislation...

http://esmokerdirect.com/blog/proposed-u...-cigarette


It looks like it might be time for UK folks to contact the Department of Health and let them know that it's not in the public interest to ignore science and logic in order to restrict freedoms.

[Jackie]

I'm certainly willing to write letters!

[Kate]

Once I've had a bit of time to think about this and maybe check the reliability of the story I might write to ASH UK. They are hard hitters and support harm reduction tactics.

It might be worth thinking of our approach. I don't know how much weight testimonials have but there are plenty of reliable physicians supporting vaping now. There are brief details of some in the library - Drs Laugesen and Phillips, I'll list some others later and we can see if we can grab any soundbites.

[Jackie]

I wish I was more knowledgeable on the subject of scientific studies and the law etc, but I'm a bit in the dark in that area. I'll have to try and rectify that - thank god you know your stuff Kate.

[Kate]

Campaigning is a whole other kettle of ball game to what I'm used to but I'm sure we'll muddle through somehow.

It'll be interesting to see what sort of interest there is in doing something about this, in my experience most people just moan and never bother to try to organise.

[Jackie]

Well yeah, that's about the size of things in most communities unfortunately. I'm hoping we'll be able to get enough people together to at least represent the voice of our vapers though.

[TnA]

(12-18-2009 02:24 PM)Kate Wrote:  Once I've had a bit of time to think about this and maybe check the reliability of the story I might write to ASH UK. They are hard hitters and support harm reduction tactics.

It might be worth thinking of our approach. I don't know how much weight testimonials have but there are plenty of reliable physicians supporting vaping now. There are brief details of some in the library - Drs Laugesen and Phillips, I'll list some others later and we can see if we can grab any soundbites.

I think this is a sound idea, Kate. ASH UK holds more weight and having them chime in with support for e-cigs will go farther (IMO) in fighting this possible legislation than just mere users.

[moog]

If someone can write the letters than I can send them, I'm just useless at writing these things...

[Kate]

Hi Moog, welcome, thanks for joining us.

I've got my thinking cap on and will try to sort something like an objection or appeal letter within the next few days if I can. If we do get a standard letter we can share it around and get folk we know to send it too.

[Rusty]

ASH is probably the place to go re the possible legislation. The proposal could be undermined somewhat if establishments that allowed vaping, displayed signs next to their non-smoking signs showing that vaping IS allowed - similar to this one;



In fact, a milder form of legislation could be that vaping is only allowed in establishments where such a sign is displayed!

Rusty