Tighter tobacco rules in the EU will soon be a reality. Union's new tobacco directive can also lead to Norway raises ban on e-cigarettes.

Research Karl Erik Lund at the National Institute of Drug Abuse ( SIRUS ) does not believe Norway will take dissent on this point. He predicts that the Norwegian smokers can buy e - cigarettes on par with other tobacco from around 2017 .

- Many have long believed that the ban is rather doubtful, but health authorities have been on his . For smokers , it is gratifying that e - cigarettes will finally get on the Norwegian market. The ban has prevented the transition to a harm reduction product that many think are more convenient to use than nicotine patches and gum, says Lund said.
" Precautionary " ban

In Norway , sales of e - cigarettes banned, but import for personal use is allowed . E - cigarettes were based on a "precautionary " principle , prohibited because of lack of evidence of health impact and effect on smoking cessation.

E - cigarettes

After the new directive , it is still not certain that Norwegians can ignite e - cigarettes at first.

- As I understand it , the countries themselves largely able to choose how they want to regulate e - cigarettes. We have already started an investigation of possible regulatory changes and in this context also consider the sale of e - cigarettes should be allowed in Norway , said State Secretary Cecilie Brein - Karlsen ( FRP ) of the Health Ministry said. She also says that there is a need to collect more knowledge about e - cigarettes until the government concludes .

Brein - Karlsen says she is pleased that the EU has been able to finalize the new tobacco directive .

- Use of tobacco is among our greatest health challenges, and it is therefore natural to regulation in this area.
- Will Save Lives

Karl Erik Lund has researched smoking behavior for 20 years and believes that the availability of e - cigarettes in Norway will result in a major health benefit . The researcher points out that previous research has shown that e - cigarettes are relatively harmless compared with the ordinary cigarettes , and they usually are desired by people who already smoke , not by non- smokers.

- This can save many lives and have a greater effect than other located in tobacco directive . The potential health benefit of being able to get over smoking e - cigarettes are great. 5,000 people die annually from smoking, it is time that we get a radical measures work , says Lund, who has studied smoking behavior in 20 years.
Pharmacies versus store

Despite the proven health benefits , should not the electronic cigarettes be classified as drug , as in Sweden and Denmark , says the researcher .

- It is not unrealistic that the Norwegian government lands in such a solution. But it seems I have to scramble back to the start. Regulation of a drug will take a long time and the price will be higher for consumers. When it is wrapped like a drug , I think either it will not appeal to smokers. We must be willing to make a product that allows it to compete with cigarettes . I think it 's best to get e - cigarettes on the market as an ordinary consumer product , often regulated in the same way as cosmetics by the FSA today .