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Parliamentary question - E-002782/2019Parliamentary question
E-002782/2019

Electronic cigarettes

Question for written answer E-002782-19
to the Commission
Rule 138
Nicolás González Casares (S&D)

In recent weeks there have been a number of reports on both sides of the Atlantic regarding the health risks of electronic cigarettes.

In the US 5 deaths have been reported resulting from health problems linked to electronic cigarettes and Centres for the Control and Prevention of Illnesses (CPCs) are investigating more than 450 cases of lung disease linked to such products.

The percentage of young people using electronic cigarettes rose from 1.5% to 20.8% between 2011 and 2018. Furthermore, CPCs issued a public health warning on 6 September 2019 recommending that these products not be used until an investigation has been carried out.

In Spain, a recent report of the Ministry of Health found that half of 14 to 18 year olds have used electronic cigarettes: two years ago, only 1 in 5 adolescents had tried them.

The WHO has repeatedly warned of the health impacts of such products, which it describes as ‘undoubtedly harmful’.

1. In light of this situation, does the Commission think that European legislation is robust enough to respond to this new reality?

2. Does the Commission consider that current European legislation is sufficient to prevent the consumption of new types of product, which are increasing exponentially?

3. Does the Commission intend to take steps to curb strategies which the WHO has warned are undermining tobacco control efforts?

Last updated: 25 September 2019
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