Britain is not doing enough to release the potential of e-cigarettes as an aid to stopping smoking, MPs say today.
The gadgets should be removed from rules on smoking in public places – and taxation rules should be reconsidered, according to the Science and Technology Committee of the House of Commons.
UK health guidelines already say that people can be advised that e-cigarettes can be helpful in giving up smoking.
But the MPs say there also needs to be relaxation of rules on licensing, prescribing and advertising of the devices.
According to the committee report, e-cigarettes are 95% less harmful than conventional cigarettes. The MPs say there is little evidence that they are leading young users to take up conventional smoking.
The MPs also criticise bans on e-cigarettes implemented by mental health trusts, discouraging patients from using them to give up cigarettes.
Chair Norman Lamb said: “Smoking remains a national health crisis and the Government should be considering innovative ways of reducing the smoking rate.
“E-cigarettes are less harmful than conventional cigarettes, but current policy and regulations do not sufficiently reflect this and businesses, transport providers and public places should stop viewing conventional and e-cigarettes as one and the same. There is no public health rationale for doing so.”
He added: “E-cigarettes are a proven stop smoking tool and, while uncertainties undoubtedly remain about their long-term health impact, failing to explore the use of e-cigarettes could lead to the continued use of conventional cigarettes-which currently kill around 79,000 people in England every year.
“Medically licensed e-cigarettes would make it easier for doctors to discuss and recommend them as a stop smoking tool to aid those quitting smoking.”
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