The EU's New Tobacco Directive: Protecting Cigarette Markets, Killing Smokers

[Ansel]

:-(

http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin...lling-smokers/

[NeonMouse]

I really dont get the eu's and some english mep's policy's. Totally backwards thinking.

Its a shame that if the uk did pull out off the eu that some labour egit will prob make moves to bad all smokeless tobacco anyway.... yes im talking about you Linda McAvan.

Why for the love of cheese, why?

[Chiliphil1]

Makes no sense to me. I am of course not European but to me the thought of something like snus being banned while cigarettes are allowed makes as much sense as saying anyone can fly without any training and then giving away airplanes.

The American politicians want to restrict all tobacco so they tax it to a point where it is hard to afford, but they do nothing of banning anything which I'm glad for because the ability to buy snus is helping me to quit smoking right now, I would hate to think of it if they were to remove that option.

I surely hope for all of the Europeans on this site that the madness will end, why would they ban smokeless and not bad cigarettes, if this were the other way around it would make much more sense.

[Mordred]

Makes no sense to me. I am of course not European but to me the thought of something like snus being banned while cigarettes are allowed makes as much sense as saying anyone can fly without any training and then giving away airplanes.

The American politicians want to restrict all tobacco so they tax it to a point where it is hard to afford, but they do nothing of banning anything which I'm glad for because the ability to buy snus is helping me to quit smoking right now, I would hate to think of it if they were to remove that option.

I surely hope for all of the Europeans on this site that the madness will end, why would they ban smokeless and not bad cigarettes, if this were the other way around it would make much more sense.

Why would they do such a thing, when it's abundantly clear that it serves no purpose? Because they're morons. Plain and simple. I used to think that there was some sinister plot behind it, but I have come to the realization that it isn't so. Our decision makers are simply idiots who cannot think for themselves. They would be cheering about the emperors new clothes too. They just go with what's popular, or what they think is popular.

That attitude has brought us fiat currency, so-called climate change, political correctness and other such nonsense.

[Chiliphil1]

True points, I believe that a good majority of politicians vote based on who makes the biggest contributions to them, with that being said who is going to contribute more than cigarette companies? When the government pays for anti smoking campaigns and websites to teach the dangers of smoking and help people quit but then allow cigarettes to be readily available, surely something is off there!

[chainsnuser]

I used to think that there was some sinister plot behind it, but I have come to the realization that it isn't so. Our decision makers are simply idiots who cannot think for themselves.

No sinister plot, but they aren't idiots neither. They're just perpetuating the revenues from cigarette taxes and hopelessly overpriced (and ineffective) pharmaceutical nicotine replament products. For snus and other usable cigarette alternatives taxes would have to be legislated first.

It's simple budgeting. Abstract terms like health, well-being or even freedom as in free choice or free markets have no meaning to the politicians of today. That doesn't mean that they're idiots, misanthropists fits better. I wonder what went wrong with the generation that dominates the politics of today.

Cheers!

[John Boy]

I'm not surprised; the politicians appear as righteous, while getting richer; all the while preventing people from easily stopping smoking.

You can judge people most effectively, just by looking at who benefits from their actions.

[Mordred]

Well, it was voted through today. Snus ban remains, E-cigarettes will be treated as medical devices (sales over the net will be illegal as with all medicine in the EU), flavourings such as Menthol will be banned for cigarettes (and Snus? not sure). Also, for shits and giggles, packages containing LESS than 20 cigarettes will also be forbidden. Yeah, beats me too.

So we can still buy the same 20 cigarettes we've been buying before, albeit with alarmist pictures on them, yet true, healthier alternatives are still banned.

Great job, dear MEPs, all those who voted in favor of this can go die in a fire. And I wouldn't blame the one who started it either.

[Skell18]

Well, it was voted through today. Snus ban remains, E-cigarettes will be treated as medical devices (sales over the net will be illegal as with all medicine in the EU), flavourings such as Menthol will be banned for cigarettes (and Snus? not sure). Also, for shits and giggles, packages containing LESS than 20 cigarettes will also be forbidden. Yeah, beats me too.

So we can still buy the same 20 cigarettes we've been buying before, albeit with alarmist pictures on them, yet true, healthier alternatives are still banned.

Great job, dear MEPs, all those who voted in favor of this can go die in a fire. And I wouldn't blame the one who started it either.

I though e-cigs weren't to be treated as medicines?

[Frosted]

I though e-cigs weren't to be treated as medicines?

Correct

[NeonMouse]

nope think that got refused. But the uk gov will treat em as medicines anyway. http://www.mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinforma...ucts/index.htm

[Mordred]

Indeed, e-cigarette regulations did NOT pass. I misread at the time. Sorry about that.

[Skell18]

Indeed, e-cigarette regulations did NOT pass. I misread at the time. Sorry about that.

No worries, I had to re-read it to take it all in, on account of being so angry, so I understand