EU Moves Forward With Electronic Cigarette Approval Regulations

The European Parliament has changed the regulations for E-cigs. The new regulation approvals will have a huge overlay on the pending FDA regulations that are currently ongoing in the United States. Regulating the E-cig industry is incredibly difficult, but the newly approved regulations do give insight on how regulation will be approached in some small way.

Future of the E-Cig Industry

Not all of the newly approved regulations were totally expected. However, it is possible to evaluate these regulations to gain a better understanding of how the E-cig industry will be impacted. Many of the regulations are strict, but the one upside is the classification of the E-cig. It has been determined that the E-cig will not be labeled a medical device, which is s huge win for all E-cig companies. This saves users of E-cigs all of the medical hassles that go along with getting approval to use a classified medical device. Now you will not be forced to deal with a pharmacist to use or obtain an E-cig. This is a huge Brightside for everyone involved with the E-cig industry.

Tobacco and E-Cigs

The newly approved regulations handed down by European Parliament view E-cigs in the same light as tobacco. This has resulted in the restriction that E-cigs will be mandated to contain a printed warning outlining the health risks of E-cigs by the year 2016. It is also a part of the new regulations that E-cig companies will not have the ability to advertise or market their products. Since law makers are not fully aware of the differences that exist between E-cigs and tobacco, these restrictions are being placed on the E-cig industry without facts to support the comparison.

Nicotine Levels

An interesting aspect of the new regulations has to do with nicotine levels of E-cigs. There is now a maximum level of 20 mg that can’t be exceeded by any E-cig. However, users of E-cigs are looking to get their nicotine fix and having this type of nicotine level stipulation could prove harmful for many E-cig companies.

What Does It All Mean?

There are both positive and negative aspects to the new European E-cig regulations handed down. However, it is important to note that E-cigs will not be forced to be classified as a medical device, which is a huge win. Now all European smokers will have the ability to try a safer alternative with only minimal restrictions.