E-cigarettes: Regulation Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department of Health and Social Care
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean
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E-cigarettes: Regulation
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean Excerpts(8 years, 8 months ago)
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Lord Prior of Brampton
My Lords, we are capable of looking after vaping devices on our own, but if we ever want to sell into the European market, we will have to abide by those regulations.
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean (Con)
My Lords, is it not perfectly obvious that big business is lobbying Brussels to shut out competition, that e-cigarettes cost less, which limits the impact of highly regressive taxes on tobacco, and that they enable people to save their health? Will my noble friend admit that the Government are powerless to do anything about this?
Lord Prior of Brampton
No, I do not admit that the Government are powerless to do anything about this. I do not believe that the origins of this directive have anything to do with limiting competition; they are based in trying to have a regulated market where safety and quality are guaranteed.