197 replies to this topic

[Kate]

xjohnuk, on 31 July 2010 - 03:24 PM, said:

Shifty, on 31 July 2010 - 03:22 PM, said:

Shit kicking is always fun

But has it been productive?

It hasn't started yet.

The next stage has to be MEPs and Europe - getting them to deal with the World Trade Organisation. I've been offered support from some smokers rights folks with political contacts and my MEP is vice president of the European Parliament, he signed our petition.

I'd encourage folks to get in touch with Lansley, Anne Milton and the media.

[prof beard]

This could indeed be bandwagoning - it might be a good time to bombard our "representatives" again

[Kate]

Definitely, now is the time for action.

Whatever your style, any input for the powers that be is more persuasion and representation.

[Tyke]

xjohnuk, on 31 July 2010 - 03:24 PM, said:

Shifty, on 31 July 2010 - 03:22 PM, said:

Shit kicking is always fun

But has it been productive?

Never unless you have an awful lot of people doing it and/or serious media support.

Inconveniencing a few thousand people (even a couple of 100 thousand) in the name of health concerns won't bother the government as none of the parties support vaping so there's no real danger to votes.

Lets face it there are far more registered voters who don't bother to vote in the UK (probably in London for that matter) than there are vapers on the entire planet.

Wave the health risk flag (real or imagined) and it's easy to get support, with over 20 countries banning sales and some banning import there's plenty of weight to the MHRA argument that vaping is seen as a risk. The fact that (as far as we know) those risks are complete bollards is irrelevant.

What we need is scientific study, committed "expert" opinion and strong media support, without all of those it's unlikely to be a fight we can win. A legal challenge in court wouldn't hurt either.

[xjohnukold]

I emailed Anne some weeks ago and got a standard copy/paste response from her civil servant... however, IF many more email her direct, she may see that this isn't the odd crank and that there are 'numbers'... she is an ex-nurse, but given the weight of other negative resources like WHO it seems... I dunno if this issue compared with the issues confronting the NHS for example is likely to get much attention... But, there's no harm trying, at least we did... so DO!

[xjohnukold]

Tyke, on 31 July 2010 - 03:41 PM, said:

What we need is scientific study, committed "expert" opinion and strong media support...

I'm thinking it's too late for that now

[Kate]

No amount of science will help us, this isn't about evidence but there's some here if you can make use of it: http://vapersnetwork.org/studies

There are a lot of medical experts backing ecigs too but they don't sell pharm products.

[moog]

I wonder if any other vendors knew of this?
I hope it is somebody jumping the gun...

[deewal]

So how do they go about this ? You have to make something illegal to Ban it. That means there has to be a Law passed in Parliament. Is liquid Nicotine to become a Controlled substance ? Are Atomisers and Battery's to be made illegal to possess or sell ? What happened to Cameron's "get the economy moving by helping new small business in the Private Sector plan to offset the loss of jobs in the Public Sector"
The MHRA's flawed illegal decision will need to be legally challenged. As far as i can see from the letter from Sussex Trading Standards to the Bad drug dealer, there does not appear to be a date of this Ban.
Until it is formally announced no Trader or Organisation can take any action but i suggest that the recipient of that letter should forward it to the RCP and the Journalist watchdog thingy whose name i can't remember at the moment.
It's time to get this stupidity over and done with. There is no Rational reason why the E-Cig should be banned. If it is that bad for the General Public then the Cigarette should also be banned.
It's about time the MHRA where put under the spotlight and exposed for what they really are.

[hifistud]

Kate, on 31 July 2010 - 03:21 PM, said:

Nukem, on 31 July 2010 - 03:09 PM, said:

2 seconds guys I'll phone David Cameron get this whole mess sorted within half an hour.

Yes please, that would be great, thanks


My main hope is that TS have jumped the gun or are scaremongering - the decision hasn't been formally announced yet so there might be some value in kicking up a bit of shit.

It does look to be someone jumping the gun, but taken in context, it's not good news.

[Shifty]

Wasn't it september when they said a decision would be made, i would assume it could be 21 days from then.

[Lisaf01]

Her letter says it's information she's picked up from other Trading Standards officers.
Sounds like rumour to me, I'll wait until the official announcement.

[Jaki]

Lisaf01, on 31 July 2010 - 04:35 PM, said:

Her letter says it's information she's picked up from other Trading Standards officers.
Sounds like rumour to me, I'll wait until the official announcement.

I agree - if the consultation hasn't yet ended, how can TS officers know the result?

[hifistud]

Lisaf01, on 31 July 2010 - 04:35 PM, said:

Her letter says it's information she's picked up from other Trading Standards officers.
Sounds like rumour to me, I'll wait until the official announcement.

I agree... looking about, there's nothing official anywhere to be found.

[Kate]

I hope you're right but I don't think you should do nothing. This is a route to the media over the multi-billion pound pharmaceutical scam and an opportunity to get the Office of Fair Trading to investigate (if that's what they're called now).

[ecigsoutlet]

Sorry for the short reply. But I'm in menorca with my family. Typing this on a phone. That letter means nothing imo. Just shows that TS aren't keeping up.
Lee

[hifistud]

Kate, on 31 July 2010 - 04:49 PM, said:

I hope you're right but I don't think you should do nothing. This is a route to the media over the multi-billion pound pharmaceutical scam and an opportunity to get the Office of Fair Trading to investigate (if that's what they're called now).

It is, actually, an opportunity to get the meeja involved - it's finally a story - 400,000 ex-smokers condemned to death by the MHRA...

[Wayne]

Hmmmm Rumour sparks 50% sale at TECC??? Can someone start a rumour about 3D HD 60Inch LED Samsung TV's please.

[Kate]

Yep, it's a story now and before the official announcement, there's still time to try to get coverage.

Also, about Anne Milton, I've been told:

[indent]Anne Milton used to be a nurse and maybe sympthatic especially as it is proven that it helps people to stop smoking. I guess that the minute you say that you will be returning to cigarettes she may take notice. Worth a go.
[/indent]

[Lisaf01]

SubVap, on 31 July 2010 - 04:52 PM, said:

Kate, on 31 July 2010 - 04:49 PM, said:

I hope you're right but I don't think you should do nothing. This is a route to the media over the multi-billion pound pharmaceutical scam and an opportunity to get the Office of Fair Trading to investigate (if that's what they're called now).

It is, actually, an opportunity to get the meeja involved - it's finally a story - 400,000 ex-smokers condemned to death by the MHRA...

I don't think anyone's doing nothing.
I do think that announcing in HUGE letters "UK authorities have decided to ban all recreational nicotine, bar tobacco " based on this, at best, ill-advised letter from a TSO is a little bit premature.

It certainly is an opportunity to get the media involved, but only when an official announcement is made.........