2016 could see the end of e-cigarettes

Just taken up 'vaping' in an effort to kick the habit? Good for you - but you're going to want to read on.

On 20 May, a newly revised Tobacco Products Directive will ring changes throughout EU member states, bringing in new regulations and checks on the production and sale of e-cigarettes. 

Major points of the revised regulations include new limitations on the sizes of refill cartridges containing nicotine (the new maximum will be 10ml), the size of all tanks (a new maximum of 2ml) and a maximum nicotine strength of all e-liquids set at 20mg - all introduced in an effort to ensure that e-cigarettes can't poison users. 

A proposed regulation causing many pro-vaper groups such as CigElectric to choke on their fumes concerns the manner in which electronic cigarettes deliver their 'dose' of nicotine: from 20 May, all e-cigarettes must "provide a consistent dose of nicotine", rather than delivering larger doses if a user were to inhale with a greater amount of force.

Quite how manufacturers will comply with this rule is unclear - and it's thought that the costs of creating new technology to comply with these regulations, in addition to the large amount of information that manufacturers will have to supply their member state on ingredients lists, detailed emissions data, toxicological data, information on nicotine doses and absorption data, could see many e-cigarette makers stubbed out or meet with closure should they be unable to comply.

Furthermore, should a "competent authority" lead three or more EU member states to ban an e-cigarette product over health risks, the product will be banned across the entire EU - a measure which could snuff out all forms of vaping if a health body releases any research which proves they're more harmful than initially thought.

So, perhaps its best to not form any new vaping habits for 2016 - you'll only be having to give them up come May.

(Image: Rex)

[Via: Metro]