MEPs to launch inquiry into US spying, and vote on controversial plans to dismantle toxic ships outside the EU and on the Tobacco Products Directive.

Prism / Ship recycling / Tobacco

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/16363154/n001-130711-002-en.srt

I do not think that democracy  is about governments

having unlimited, uncontrolled  and uncontrollable powers.

What we are looking at here  is something sophisticated.

Ever since the news that the US  has been spying on Europe,

MEPs have been livid.  But now they're taking action.

An inquiry will look into the allegations

and will present its findings  by the end of the year at plenary.

Many ships like this one end up  broken up for recycling

on beaches in India,  Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The Environment Committee  will vote to push ahead with plans

that will allow toxic old ships  to be recycled outside of the EU

so long as ship owners adhere  to strict environmental requirements

This is one of the worst  environmental catastrophes

because old ships  contain really toxic materials.

all this very hazardous waste  leaks out into the water

and damages both workers and  the environment under appalling conditions.

Controversy over the Tobacco  Products Directive

as the Environment Committee votes  to regulate the online sale of e-cigarettes

It would be harder for 'would be'  smokers to get their hands on them.

was that when something contains nicotine  it should be considered as a medicine.

Why should patches for people  who want to stop smoking

have to be authorised for sale,  but not e-cigarettes that contain nicotine?