Alkuperäinen postaaja Frédérique Ries
I will briefly answer you , forgive me , we plenary session in Strasbourg and as usual trying to manage busy schedules .
I leave at the time of 3 hours of new negotiations with the Lithuanian Presidency Trialogue (representing the Health Ministers of the 28 Member States) and the European Commission on the Tobacco Products Directive . I 'm actually going to enlighten you quickly, I am rapporteur of the liberal group this Directive , and the author of the amendment rejecting the approach proposed by the European Commission " pharma " ! Amendment passed by an overwhelming majority of my colleagues last October, which gives me a strong legitimacy in the negotiations that we are conducting .
You do not have to convince me of the precious value of the electronic cigarette as an alternative infinitely less harmful for those trying to reduce the risk , or even quit. I have been more than a year working with scientists convinced that Professor Dautzenberg in France with whom I discussed this afternoon even the latest developments of the Trialogue .
Do not blame me not to give you the details here , nothing yet is found and I would not jeopardize the hope of compromise timidly appeared today on the status of the electronic cigarette.
I was totally pessimistic , let's say I 'm a little less tonight.
Let's be clear , if there is compromised , it will never satisfy ALL requests and / or requirements vapoteurs . But I remain convinced that out in Article 18 of the Directive PDT as many suggest today can only be a last resort . Be aware that half of Member States have already chosen the path of strict medication , others go even further by providing the ban ( Lithuania ) or to restrict severely the flavors that I 'm fighting for preserve at European level. The alternative is to remain attractive and seductive if we want effective in helping smokers to quit .
Flavors, nicotine levels , the Council will prohibit rechargeable ... the Council's proposals were catastrophic . Thinning I told you on the table . Can not tell you more , the "fine tuning" of the text must be finalized between experts Friday and negotiated finish at the last trialogue next Monday . If I can not and will not at this stage tell you more , be sure of one thing , my commitment to you is total , and if I find a political compromise I never will negotiate on the essential: the electronic cigarette is now a very effective tool in terms of fight against smoking, no question of giving in to Taliban tobacco are mistaken in taking the target . Refer to the cigarette vapoteurs today freed from their addiction , victory they would get there!
The Belgian Minister of Health now advance the recent opinion of the Supreme Council of Health to demonize the tool. Funny opinions if you want mine. No study, no proof , just a few clichés rehashed a thousand times to advocate that Onkelinx actually has always defended the status of medicine and pharmacy sales . With de facto death industry in Europe, the end of the accessibility of alternative and return to smoking. Funny model where we allow the sale of Marlboro at checkout Delhaize and borders that of the e -cig drawers pharmacies !
You might be usefully join my Facebook page where I post regular information on developments in the case . At least what I can say at this stage that the Council has resented my concern for transparency towards citizens vapoteurs waiting to know what sauce they will be accommodated
Bien à vous *****
Frédérique Ries,
Députée européenne
Rapporteur ADLE sur la Directive PDT
