This week the Supreme Administrative Court in Sweden has retracted previous ruling which banned the sale of electronic smoking devices.
Sweden’s Medical Product Agency had previously outlawed e-cigs, but now, on the basis that they are not a medical product, companies may begin distributing the gadgets again. With the ruling reading “To be a medical product, it must have the ability to prevent or treat a disease and, therefore, provide a beneficial effect on human health,”
As e-cigarettes do not specify how they can be used to reduce tobacco or nicotine intake and addiction, they do not qualify, and therefore don’t fall under the Agency’s jurisdiction.
There has been passionate debate amongst health officials and scientist the world over on the pros and cons of vaping devices and the potential health benefits, with the lack of clear regulatory structure causing concern amongst some experts. However, the Tobacco Products Directive implementation in May of this year will see a rapid and widespread change through the whole of Europe, including Britain, when it comes to the standard of products available.
