New ecigarette regulations welcomed

Public health campaigners welcome “careful balancing act” of regulations on e-cigarettes

Health charity ASH Scotland responded to the tabling of the Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Bill at the Scottish Parliament by welcoming the careful balancing act between restricting young people’s access to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) while maintaining access for smokers seeking help to quit tobacco use.

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland said:

“The right regulatory framework for e-cigarettes will require a careful balancing act – seeking to maximise the potential to help people quit tobacco use, while frustrating the commercial interest in recruiting a new generation into nicotine addiction.

“The urgent priority is to reduce the enormous harm caused by tobacco use. We believe that e-cigarettes will prove to be much less harmful than smoking – so for a smoker to switch from tobacco to electronic cigarettes will bring significant health benefits and we welcome the Scottish Government’s attempts not to over-regulate and stifle the e-cigarette market.

“Yet e-cigarettes are not harmless. The best health outcomes will still come from being free of any addictive substance and the measures announced today to protect young people from the commercial interests who would sell them such devices are justified and proportionate.”

ENDS

For further information please contact ASH Scotland on 0131 225 4725 or enquiries@ashscotland.org.uk Out of hours mobile 07776 142 299

Notes for editors

• The Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Bill was tabled at the Scottish Parliament on Friday June 5^th. Details at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/89934.aspx#sthash.JutUwQyy.dpuf
• Further information on e-cigarettes can be found at /what-we-do/supply-information-about-tobacco-and-health/briefings/ecigarettes.aspx