Controversy and debate, politics and law, electronic cigarettes and change. In the UK currently there around ten million smokers, and this figure brings revenue in the form of taxes to the UK Government but likewise brings smoking related costs to the government and its authorities. The national bill resulting from smoking and its related conditions costs more than the income generated from tobacco taxes. So a review and another review has taken place with debates conducted at the highest level.   As the Electronic cigarette is new technology it will take time to find its place in the market with discussions due to continue likewise for some time. What has happened now within the UK Government is an approval of smokeless cigarettes predominantly being sanctioned by the UK Governments “Nudge Unit”.

The desire to quit smoking is recognised by the nudge unit and likewise there is recognition that nicotine is addictive. The national smoking problem kills on average over eighty thousand people per year. Recognition and management of this problem is typical of what the nudge unit is designed and set up for. One of the unit functions being able to monitor and advise, results based upon and favouring the national interest. Part of the recognition that nicotine is at the heart of the problem and its addictive nature leads onto a desire to manage nicotine but get rid of the thousands of carcinogenic and other bad chemicals held within a typical cigarette. Water vapour created during the e smoking process offers a real viable alternative and its one that should be encouraged.

The medicines and health care products regulatory agency  or MHRA is currently reviewing electronic cigarettes and of course if fully approved e –cigs could be on all our shop shelves priced lower than traditional cigarettes and our belief is they will save lives!