The EU has rejected electronic cigarettes today, despite a majority of UK MEPs voting against it.

While some compromises have been won, from 2016 we can expect the following:

• a likely ban on refillable ecigarettes
• ecigarettes to deliver a consistent dose of nicotine, despite the fact the technology has not yet been invented
• a limit on the amount of nicotine in ecigarettes, despite the fact ecigs deliver less nicotine than cigarettes

Along with many other restrictions which will limit the appeal of ecigarettes and extend the dominance of large tobacco and pharmaceutical companies.

I've been talking to one of the biggest manufacturers of ecigs in China. While they are trying to develop an electronic cigarette which will comply with the regulations, they say its simply impossible to build one which can deliver a consistent dose of nicotine.

And worryingly, out of 14 applications for a medical authorisation in the UK, not one has yet been accepted.

EU Vapers Fight Back, But Need Your Help

Vapers have often complained that they have not been give a voice.

But as vaper activist David Dorn says, there should be:

"Nothing About Us Without Us."

But there is a mechanism to ensure that vapers do get heard, and it's one that EU vapers are determined to take advantage of.

The European Citizens Intiative allows citizens to take part directly in making laws.

And a European wide vapers group, the European Free Vaping Inititiave, is gathering the signatures needed.

Now, this is not just another ecig petition - if it succeeds, vapers could have a real chance of being involved in the legislative process. 

There's only one problem -  one million signatures are needed.

That's not many compared to the amount of vapers in Europe, but many people are still not aware of the risks to ecigarettes or the movement to stop restrictive legistlation.

Currently, the UK is lagging behind the rest of the EU in signing the citizens initiative.

Let's change that!

Two Ways You Can Help

There are two ways in which you can help.

1. By signing the citizens intiative

Two minutes of your time should be well worth the possibility of saving ecigarettes ;)

2. By making sure as many people know about it as possible.

Share it on social media (you can also support the EFVI on Twitter, Google Plus and Facebook), and ask your friends who care about vaping to sign.Because vaping is worth defending. 

What Other Bloggers Are Saying

Cold Day in Europe - TPD Has Come To Pass (Steve Vape) Support The EVFI Now, Please (Vaping Point) The Battle Is Lost But The War Is Not Over (Vapingiraffe)

Also See

7 Huge Consequences of An EU Ecig Ban