A range of pre-scripted statements and questions were reportedly sent to the party’s MPs ahead of a crucial vote on the controversial Tobacco and Vapes Bill last week.
The European Commission’s recommendation that Member States ban vaping everywhere has been agreed, but only because multiple Member States added riders saying that they’ll essentially refuse to implement it.
The crux of the legal battle is whether the FDA failed to correctly consider the requests of two manufacturers – Triton Distribution and Vapetasia – to sell flavoured e-liquids, putting it in violation of a federal law called the Administrative Procedure Act.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the EU advisory body representing trade unions and other civil society, had planned to adopt an opinion on the proposal, but was instructed by the Commission to cancel it.
After the European Parliament rejected the Commission’s proposal to ban vaping in all public spaces, and the day before EU Health Ministers are slated to debate it, Czechia has joined Italy and voiced opposition to the proposal.
According to the study ‘Saving 600,000 Lives in Nigeria and Kenya’ by global health group Smoke Free Sweden, 9.4 per cent of Nigerians currently smoke.
Disposable vapes will be banned from June 1, 2025, in an attempt to reduce the appeal of vaping to young people. Under separate proposed legislation, flavours will also be heavily restricted.
When I wrote earlier this week that the European Parliament should reject the Commission’s plan to ban vaping in all public spaces across Europe, I did not expect them to take my advice.
MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of the “historic” Tobacco and Vapes Bill at its second reading in the Commons on Tuesday, with 415 for and 47 against.