the electronic cigarette and its effects remain a mystery whose thickness is determined by the power games of various lobbies and institutions.

 Snuff and cigarette smokers around the world in recent years can try a new product came from China electronic cigarette or e -cigarette. The French Office of Tobacco Prevention (OFT ) estimates the number of " vapoteurs " regular in France one million end of 2013, against five hundred thousand in May , 2012. While the product is not on sale in the hex since 2011 , it is also estimated that 10 million French have already tasted.

What is it?

Mere fad or revolutionary product ? It is still too early to tell , but the e-cigarette looks set to make his mark . Its strengths: a flavored vapor that replaces the thick plumes of smoke cartridges variable nicotine content , hundreds of flavors, great rates. Its main disadvantage youth product . Still little known to scientists , the electronic cigarette and its effects remain a mystery whose thickness is determined by the power games of various lobbies and institutions.
Thus, the traditional tobacco industry is facing new competition , tobacconists are fighting to keep the monopoly of the sale of smoking products , specialized in e-cigarette stores defend a promising market in which they are engulfed and doctors falling over on the right terminology to describe a less harmful tobacco product, but still harmful in absolute terms and is sometimes considered as an alternative to traditional solutions such withdrawal patches .
How does it work ?

The e-cigarette is an electronic device producing an artificial smoke and sometimes flavored with or without nicotine. Specifically , a known resistance " atomizer " e- heated liquid ( mixture of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin , flavor and optionally nicotine ) which evaporates and thus produces white vapor .
Where can I smoke?

Between all these stakeholders, the state has heard her say , but for now , it is overtaken by the speed of the phenomenon. As of today , so it is possible to smoke e-cigarettes in public places , as opposed to cigarettes "traditional" . Bars , restaurants and offices are open to " vapotage " ... for now .
law

But until when? In December 2013 , the European Union has approved a first step in its attempt to standardized framework for the sale of electronic cigarettes in its territory by considering it as a common good and not a drug consumption , which means that the sale does is not restricted to pharmacies and specialty shops have won a first victory. However, the European Commission has reserved the possibility of banning some later models " vapoteuses " or refills deemed dangerous or dubious provenance . China retains at the monopoly on the manufacture of components of e-cigarettes, and it is difficult to effectively trace its components , causing some concern on the part of public authorities.
The side of the French state, nothing is decided yet, but it is likely that national laws go towards stricter regulation that the European directives . Indeed, the Ministry of Health would like to limit the sale of refill e- cigarettes more than 20 milligrams of nicotine pharmacies because they would be considered drug substitutes for heavy smokers .
The e-cigarette to Paris

Until the law is clarified on all fronts , entrepreneurs seize their chance and specialty shops are blooming everywhere in France . Nothing in the capital , there are nearly a hundred of these shops where you will find refills , say e- liquid and electronic cigarettes disposable or not . In the jungle of the current market for e-cigarette, some sellers will direct you to specific products , originally recognized , and whose components are clearly specified. Note that the "Made in France " are only assembled in France and French brand ; components all come from China.

Among these shops that have grown everywhere in Paris , some are expected to disappear in the short term , because they have managed to integrate all the data in a market undergoing construction. Strings that are already in place should carve the lion's share .

Electronic cigarette, unfair competition? The argument fails

The decision of the Commercial Court of Toulouse indicating that the electronic cigarette is unfair competition vis-à -vis a tobacconist seems very surprising. From the time a product does not have a legal monopoly of distribution , it has the right to be freely marketed . This is the case so far , the electronic cigarette.

On the legislative front , the electronic cigarette is free distribution

The control and sale of certain products are confined to a particular type of business , this is called a legal monopoly distribution . This is the case of pharmacy drugs and cigarettes from tobacconists , for example.

In early October , it was questioned pharmacy sales of electronic cigarette, by classifying as medicinal . MEPs debated and voted no . The principle of the free distribution of this product ( and related accessories) has been reaffirmed . It has not been decided either by legislation , it should be sold exclusively in the tobacco shops.

This results in a reaction tobacconists , who feel a victim of competition, is understandable, but then to declare that it is an unfair practice leaves me skeptical. I think the court of appeal will further analyze the judgment of the Tribunal de Commerce de Toulouse and I would not be surprised that slice in the opposite direction.

If the decision is confirmed , e- shops put the key under the door

If the judgment is upheld on appeal , however , even by the duplicated sequence ( the Confederation of tobacconists has already warned that in case of a favorable decision , it would encourage 27,000 tobacconists in France to follow his example ) , this will cause serious problems.

On the one hand , the question of harmony with European Community law will arise, because the electronic cigarette is freely available in all EU countries . But the free movement of goods is a basic principle.

Secondly, and this is certainly the most important, the distribution of the electronic cigarette in place (all " e- shops " that have flourished lately) would be forced to cease all activity . So put the key under the door. The sale of their products would be repatriated in newsagents .

The messages are not illegal under the pretext that competitor Post

The issue is highly economical. Sales of "conventional" cigarettes have declined substantially since the introduction of electronic cigarette (2.50 % in value and 8.6% in volume in the first quarter 2013 compared to the same period of 2012).

But we must also focus on consumers and their interests. Is it smart to sell the same place packs of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes, when the latter are of interest to no longer use the first or interest for any short health?
I do not think the argument of unfair competition is a good way to solve the problem . It shall be possible otherwise.

When there are societal and / or consumption changes , we must learn to adapt . Couriers La Poste suffer from competition mails, it is not so far as sending them via electronic boxes is considered illegal .

young people to start using the electronic cigarette is not a bad thing?

More and more young people to start using the electronic cigarette is not a bad thing, because young people will always be addicted to many things , at least the electronic cigarette is much safer than real tobacco .best ecig

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data released this month show that in 2012 the number of American teenagers using electronic cigarettes doubled compared with 2011 . The center experts warn that these young people addicted to nicotine may be lifelong .

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But USA Today review article retorted , teens will be infected , including many habits such as chewing gum , electronic cigarettes are just an ordinary one . And authoritative surveys and studies have shown that electronic cigarettes safer than traditional cigarettes , but also help smokers quit real tobacco .

Anti-smoking absolutist rejection of electronic cigarettes , electronic cigarettes because they think the same harm to the body . But the article, thoroughly realized no threat to the body , it is difficult for smokers , the electronic cigarette , although can not be called healthy , but has a lot of security and true tobacco compared .electronic cigarettes for sale

The article says , not without derision in the end, young people sometimes do stupid and dangerous behavior , adults need to ensure their safety , as long as no division on the line , the electronic cigarette itself is not fatal , at least in the short term .top 10 e cigarette brands