Responding to the positive report on e-cigarettes and tobacco harm reduction from the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, Andrew Allison, Head of Campaigns for The Freedom Association, who runs the Freedom to Vape campaign, said:
"This report is very welcome. We have campaigned for over two years for the restrictions that are placed on vapers and the vaping industry in the EU's Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), to be scrapped. We are pleased that the committee agrees that there is no scientific rationale behind the restrictions in the strength of e-liquid and the size of tanks.
"Public Health England has described e-cigarettes as the number one quit aid in the UK. That in itself should be a good enough reason to ease advertising restrictions. We are pleased that the committee agrees.
"We are also delighted that the committee does not favour an increase in taxation, and agree with it when it states in its report that 'the level of taxation on smoking-related products should directly correspond to the health risks that they present'.
"We urge the Government to take the recommendations in this report seriously. When the UK finally leaves the EU, the restrictions in the TPD that are counterproductive, unnecessary, and damaging to public health, should be scrapped."
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT
To arrange broadcast interviews or for more information, please contact:
Andrew Allison
Head of Campaigns, The Freedom Association
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07803 741104
NOTES FOR EDITORS
- The Freedom Association is a non-partisan, centre-right, libertarian pressure group. We believe in the freedom of the individual in all aspects of life to as great an extent as possible. As such, we seek to challenge all erosion of civil liberties and campaign in support of individual liberty and freedom of expression. To find out more, visit our website: www.tfa.net/
- Freedom to Vape is a non-partisan campaign from The Freedom Association that promotes the positive benefits of vaping and defends vapers' rights. More here: http://www.tfa.net/freedom_to_vape_campaign
- Freedom to Vape's submission to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee can be found here: http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/science-and-technology-committee/ecigarettes/written/75054.html
- The full report published today by the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee can be found here: https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/science-and-technology-committee/news-parliament-2017/e-cigarettes-report-publication-17-19/