It is of course “honourable” that our MP questions matters of the NHS, and in particular smoking. 

Kevin Barron (Rother Valley, Labour)

Will the Minister give us an update on the proposed licensing of e-cigarettes

by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency? Does her Department believe that e-cigarettes could be used in smoking cessation programmes?

Jane Ellison (The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health; Battersea, Conservative)

When I brought the regulations before Parliament, we were clear that those e-cigarettes for which a medicinal claim is made must be subjected to medicinal licensing arrangements. Once they are licensed as medicine, they can be prescribed as part of NHS smoking cessation services.

Just can’t help thinking that with the turmoil that the NHS is in with cuts and modifications, is e-cigarette licensing a top priority issue ? This would bring in extra revenue for the government, no doubt, but whether the reasoning behind the question is for this reason or the well being of our Kev’s constituents remains to be seen.  Personally I believe any available finances could be put to better use than to help people stop smoking – which is, when all’s said and done, only possible by individual will power.

#just saying

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/10027/kevin_barron/rother_valley