The government's draft legislation on a taste ban for e-cigarettes is delayed. It became clear yesterday. At the same time, activists, vejpers and entrepreneurs demonstrated outside Parliament. The message was that e-cigarettes with good flavors help smokers to quit.
On March 22, the government would present its legislative proposal which bans flavorings, except those that give "a distinct aroma and taste of tobacco", in e-cigarettes and e-liquid. But no proposal was ever made. New date for the bill is now, reportedly March 31st.
"At least it gives us more time to protest and stop this" notes Victor Bryn-Jensen President of the Electronic Cigarette Industry Association, BELC.
"Flavors are important"
Victor Bryn-Jensen was one of about twenty vejpers and entrepreneurs who gathered outside the Parliament building to demonstrate against the taste ban. Organizations World Vapers Alliance highlighted the message with a bike-mounted banner in cheerful colors.
"We want to show the positive side of different flavors. And clearly show that e-cigarettes are not smoking. On the contrary: e-cigarettes are there to keep cigarettes away. And then good flavors are very important" says Michael Landl from the World Vapers Alliance.
"Monday taking pictures"
The demonstration moved during the afternoon from Mynttorget and through Stockholm city center to spread its message.
"A lot of people see us, a lot of people take photos and that's positive. We vejpers must use every opportunity we have to be seen now. Our campaign starts here in Sweden and continues this week to the Netherlands, where the government is also working on introducing a taste ban" says Michael Landl.
Decision in the Social Affairs Committee in May
According to the Parliament scheduled handling the issue of taste bans will now reach Parliament on June 16. Before that, the bill will go through the Social Affairs Committee. The Social Affairs Committee is a kind of miniature parliament where MPs focusing on health issues prepare proposals for the vote in Parliament. "This is really where the important decisions are made," says Victor Bryn-Jensen.
"The Social Affairs Committee is scheduled to discuss the issue from 10 May and make a decision by 31 May. Before then, it is important that we as vejpar, and others affected by a taste ban, make our voices heard. In any way we can" says Victor Bryn-Jensen.
Rules for nicotine pouches
The same bill also includes new rules for nicotine pouches. At present, nicotine pouches are completely unregulated in terms of product standards, marketing and age limits. Victor Bryn-Jensen is in favor of stricter rules for nicotine pouches. But he says the issue of these products risks overshadowing the seriousness of the taste ban.
"Everyone wants regulation of nicotine pouches. There is a risk that the flavor ban will slip through the cracks. We really want to highlight that. A flavor ban is a huge restriction and affects many people who need flavors in e-cigarettes to stay smoke-free. Of course, it also affects the companies that sell e-cigarettes. Among BELC members, 85% of e-juice sales consist of flavors other than 'tobacco'. Victor Bryn-Jensen.
Just a small reflection, despite the fact that these nicotine pills are unregulated, nothing terrible has happened. Serious traders do not sell them to minors anyway. This was the case even before e-cigs were deregulated. Of course, some regulation is good, but it must be proportionate to the risks and not based on Anglo-Saxon puritanism. It's unnecessary with these little 10 ml, a bunch of space waste. No one complained about my e-cig on the outdoor terraces then and not now either😊