Post TPD Vape Laws Discussed In UK Parliament – FDA Issues PMTA Warning Letters and the Vaping Capital Of the UK Revealed

UK Parliament Discusses Post TPD Vape Laws

Post TPD vape laws have been back on the agenda in the Houses of Parliament.

Now the UK is out of the EU, politicians are in the process of creating a fresh set of vaping legislation.

Last Friday saw the second reading of the Electronic Cigarettes (Regulation) Bill 2019-21, this still has a long way to go before it’s passed into UK law.

Of most interest to UK vapers will be the bill’s provision for:

• (a)size
• (b)capacity
• (c)content, or
• (d)packaging,of electronic cigarettes or refill containers

Among other issues, vape advocacy groups are hoping to see the removal of the silly 2ml tank capacity and of course, nicotine based e-liquids being sold in bottles above 10mls.

As I said, there’s still a way to go yet, however it’s certainly hoped the UK will become world leaders in offering a sensible approach to vape legislation.

The matter was raised in the Houses of Parliament by Tory MP Lee Anderson, who asked whether the UK Government planned to take into account any new TPD the EU might come up with…not somehting we would want given the EU’s current anti-vaping stance.

Jo Churchill, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care, said:

A new Tobacco Control Plan for England will be published later this summer to outline the Government’s plans to achieve its ambition to be smokefree by 2030.

The Government has made the necessary legislative amendments to ensure robust tobacco control regulation continues throughout the United Kingdom after the 1 January 2021 and give effect to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Great Britain no longer has to comply with the European Union’s Tobacco Products Directive and, as part of the development of the Tobacco Control Plan for England, there will be opportunity to consider whether any regulatory changes are required to help people quit smoking and address the harms from tobacco.

Any changes will be based on robust international evidence and be in the interests of public health.

Based on that it’s crucial ALL UK vapers get involved in this.

The best way is to either contact your local MP with personal stories on how vaping has improved your health OR by joining the New Nicotine Alliance.

The NNA will be leading the way for a consumer voice to be heard by the politicians as they discuss any new vaping legislation.

Find out more about the NNA and sign up for FREE.

Read the 6258/1Electronic Cigarettes (Regulation) Bill

So what are your thoughts on the UK’s post TPD vape laws?

Let us know in the comments below…we don’t bite 😉

First PMTA Warning Letters Issued

10 vape companies in the USA have been sent warning letters for selling or producing e-liquid without a PMTA submission.

The Pre Market Tobacco Application process is the new FDA backed legislation that means no vape product can be sold in America without one.

I’ve written extensively about this:

• NO PMTA Extension Says FDA
• Forget Flavour Bans the PMTA Process Is the REAL Threat To US Vapers
• Vaping In America Faces Total Devastation As Anti-Vape Legislation Is Moved Forward

The process came into law last September, and given each PMTA submission can cost close to half a million dollars, it’s little wonder many companies are ignoring it.

However failure to abide by the legislation can be expensive with fines for ‘repeat offenders’ of up to $25,000.

FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, M.D. said:

The premarket application process ensures that new tobacco products, including many already on the market, will undergo a robust scientific evaluation by the FDA.

Scientific review of new products is a critical part of how we carry out our mission to protect the public—especially kids—from the harms associated with tobacco use.

In addition to the important premarket scientific review, prioritizing enforcement against those who violate the law by selling unauthorized products is how we help protect public health.

All sounds good – however much of the ‘science’ appears to be very anti-vaping…

Meanwhile the FDA says it is constantly searching the internet and bricks and mortar shops based in the USA for rule breaking.

Mitch Zeller, J.D., director of FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products said:

These warning letters are the result of continued surveillance and internet monitoring for violations of tobacco laws and regulations.

We want to make clear to all tobacco product manufacturers and retailers that the FDA is keeping a close watch on the marketplace and will hold companies accountable for breaking the law.

The FDA will continue to prioritize enforcement against companies that market electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), including e-cigarettes, without the required authorization but haven’t submitted a premarket application to the agency, including those products with a likelihood of youth use or initiation.

If they were so concerned about ‘kids’ getting their hands on tobacco products, you’d think the same amount of effort would be put into ‘policing’ lit tobacco – the number one killer in the world.

But nope…

Things that make you go ummmm.

Top 10 UK Vaping Capitals Revealed

I you’ve ever wondered what UK city has the most vapers then wonder no more.

The guys over at VYPE have carried out a survey and the results show some extremely interesting results and proves beyond doubt the UK is probably the most vape friendly country in the world…kind of…

As you might expect it’s London that has the most vapers per head of capita and the ‘cockneys also spend the most on vape gear – probably the astronomical prices down there lol – saying that the Brummies of Birmingham came in second for most spent.

If you don’t want people complaining about your vapour, then head to Brighton as that’s the place where folks are ‘least bothered’ about vapers vaping around them.

Whilst in Glasgow vapers don’t feel at all ‘judged’ when taking a toot or two, whilst the good folks of Belfast couldn’t care less if you vaped in their homes or cars.

Leeds has the most vape shops per square mile and Liverpool is home to the longest standing of vapers.

And meanwhile in Plymouth, the smokers there are just beginning to switch on that vaping is safer and healthier than smoking with the highest number of new vapers this year.

Given the world and it’s brother wants to ban flavours, most vapers said flavoured e-liquids were extremely important with vapers in Edinburgh saying they were driven to vape by the flavours.

Meanwhile none vapers – as in smokers – in Nottingham were keen to take up vaping because of flavoured e-liquids.

As the survey was conducted by VYPE, I guess it’s only fair to say the most popular flavour from the company came out as Crisp Mint with Blended Tobacco a close second…interesting…

Checkout the survey at vype.com.

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More vaping news on Wednesday!