European Nation Vaping News
By: Tiffany Davis
Flavor Vapor Media Specialist
When we
hear about vaping in Europe it’s been an emotional battle this past year. As we
sit in America watching the battle rage on overseas most of us wonder what will
happen here at home. We know that the US government likes to follow the EU
governments lead in many cases. For this case though, I sure hope they don’t
follow EU’s lead. Just today USA TODAY shares a new report concerning the EU’s
new laws particularly the French.
From USA Today report: Ruling could deal blow to e-cigarette
industry, by: Holly Ellyatt, CNBC.com
“A court ruling to restrict the sale of
e-cigarettes in France last week could set a European, if not global precedent
and knock the nascent e-cigarette industry off course.
A commercial court in Toulouse ruled on
Monday that e-cigarettes (that do not contain tobacco) qualify as tobacco
products and should only be sold by registered tobacconists.
French news agency AFP said the court
ordered an e-cigarette retailer to stop selling and advertising the products.
It argued it was violating the "state monopoly on the sale of
tobacco" which states that tobacco products can only be sold at registered
outlets in France, where their advertising is also banned.”
In the US each state gets to
decide what regulations are set on vaporizers. Granted, this could all change
in a blink of an eye if the US government decides to intervene in states’
rights to regulate within their state.
From USA
Today report: Ruling could deal blow to e-cigarette industry, by: Holly
Ellyatt, CNBC.com
“"This (French ruling) could lead to
greater regulation of the e-cigarette industry, and yes, in terms of
manufacturing and distribution it could put a squeeze on the nascent
e-cigarette industry," he said.
He expected the TPD could put more pressure
on smaller players than on the big suppliers like BAT or Imperial Tobacco,
however.
"It could in fact be more favorable for
the majors (large tobacco companies) because the French ruling suggests that
the EU or some major countries are not concerned with damaging the nascent
e-cig industry," he said. If upheld, the French ruling would mean producers
could only distribute their products through regulated tobacconists, meaning
business as usual for the larger firms.”
In a
condensed sentence: The French doesn’t care about the little man but, is ruling
in favor with the big tobacco companies. I know that the big firms have the
money, power and resources to persuade government but, don’t they realize that
these “small businesses” are employing employees? Small business is a vital
part of our economy.
From USA Today report: Ruling could deal blow to e-cigarette
industry, by: Holly Ellyatt, CNBC.com
“Although it is still far smaller than the
real tobacco industry, industry analysis firm Euromonitor International
estimates that the e-cigarette industry is worth in excess of $2 billion
globally (the same size as the global small cigars market).
Big tobacco companies have been quick to
capitalize on the smokeless product that markets itself as a
"healthy" alternative to real cigarettes too. BAT (British American
Tobacco) launched its mainstream e-cigarette, Vype, in the U.K. in July and
Marlboro maker Philip Morris plans to enter the market in 2014.”
It always amazes me when I read
an article like this. It also makes me sad. Why? Because, I believe that the
small business make up the back bone of our economy. They employ people and treat
employees better because, they are not lost in a system of numbers and
politics. The fate of our vaping freedom relays on people getting involved in our
government so, the big business doesn’t win. This is just a prime example of
how we have the power to change laws and regulations in the US.
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page.
