The Spanish Government has announced a consultation on new legislation that will ban flavoured e-cigarettes across Spain.
The consultation will be open until 23 April, giving Spanish vapers just two weeks to respond. Those who want to write to the Government as part of the consultation should email consultapublicatabaquismo@sanidad.gob.es.
The Government claims to have already consulted civil society on the proposed measure, but vapers in the country have been left out in the cold.
As we reported on Clearing the Air, ANESVAP, which is a civil society organisation representing the interests of vapers in Spain, were unable to even meet the Department of Health about the proposals.
Health Minister Javier Padillo accused the group of representing commercial interests. He provided no evidence to support this claim, and ANESVAP strongly rejects any accusation that it represents commercial interests.
Over 2,500 Spanish vapers have since signed a petition demanding to be heard.
But the consultation document, seen by clearing the air, does not even consider that other measures could be taken.
The results of the EU’s consultation on tobacco control, which took place last year and includes thousands of responses, including over 900 from Spain. The view of Spanish citizens is clear:
- Three quarters of Spanisards and 80% of Spanish academics do not believe that vaping is a threat to public health.
- Over 60% of Spaniards do not think that banning flavours is good for public health.
- 69% of Spaniards think that e-cigarettes with nicotine help smokers quit
Clearing the Air will be following the file closely, and Spanish vapers who want to get in touch or want help campaigning should email hello@clearingtheair.eu. Hablamos español.
