Daily News

Backers of “e-cigarettes” argued that a new licensing system would reduce availability of a key weapon against smoking and would penalise firms with large costs.

The UK Government wanted tighter regulation of the tobacco-free products, which turn a solution containing nicotine into vapour which users “smoke” through a cylinder.

Critics fear they could “trick” young people into smoking. The Department of Health admitted it was disappointed the European Parliament had rejected stricter regulation and vowed to keep pressing for the devices to be treated like medicines.

The vote was the Parliament’s first on the draft EU Tobacco Directive which could become law next year and be implemented across Europe within two years.

There will now be more negotiations between the Parliament and EU member states to try to get agreement before next May’s European elections.

The UK’s medicines regulator has already said it wants e-cigs to be treated like other nicotine products to ensure their quality and content can be checked.

But British Lib Dem MEP Chris Davies welcomed the vote, saying: “E-cigs can be a game-changer in the fight against smoking.”

Tory MEP Martin Callanan said: “Forcing e-cigs off the shelves would have been totally crazy.”

MEPs dismayed campaigners by rejecting a ban on flavoured brands, such as menthol cigarettes.