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<p>The Government published its response to the Science and Technology Committee on
the 10 December 2018. Good progress is being made on implementing the report’s recommendations:
for example, Public Health England will publish its latest annual evidence review
on e-cigarettes by the end of March 2019 and NHS England is developing guidance on
e-cigarettes for mental health trusts. The Department will continue to monitor progress
as part of its monitoring of the delivery of the Tobacco Control Plan for England.</p><p>
</p><p>The Government believes in proportionate regulation of e-cigarettes, recognising
that they are not risk-free. Through the European Union Tobacco Products Directive
2014/40/EU (TPD), transposed into United Kingdom law by the UK Tobacco and Related
Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR), we have introduced measures to regulate e-cigarettes
to reduce the risk of harm to children, protect against any risk of renormalisation
of tobacco use, provide assurance on relative safety for users, and give businesses
legal certainty. This has enabled the UK to implement appropriate standards for products
whilst allowing smokers to move to e-cigarettes should they wish.</p><p> </p><p>While
the UK Government is a member of the EU it will continue to comply with the requirements
of the EU’s TPD. The Government has made a commitment to review the TRPR by May 2021
to consider its regulatory impact. In addition, as announced in the Tobacco Control
Plan the Government will review where the UK’s exit from the EU offers us opportunities
to re-appraise current regulation to ensure this continues to protect the nation’s
health.</p>
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