Parliament holds a public hearing on e-cigarettes as the Commission considers regulating them under pharmaceutical legislation.

MEPs look into e-cigarettes – no ban in sight

Ever since they first appeared  nine years ago,

e-cigarettes have been  increasing in popularity.

They're an alternative method of delivering  flavours – often with nicotine added –

Here's the element that's going to heat  up the chamber in which the liquid flows.

Now MEPs are weighing up  what legislation should apply

to a product that's currently only covered  by product safety legislation.

The Commission sees e-cigarettes  as a nicotine-delivery system,

like patches, chewing gum or sprays, which  should come under pharmaceutical rules.

Those who've seen relatives die  of lung cancer feel they may have survived

if e-cigarettes had been available earlier.

A lot more people would still be alive  and my biggest concern

is that the proposed restrictions  to be placed on e-cigarettes

will lead to people dying unnecessarily.

Certainly, those who see e-cigarettes  as a safer alternative to tobacco

point out that they contain  far fewer toxins.

It's a very good alternative, especially when  it comes to price, its advantages and health.

Research has proven it's 1000 times  less dangerous than a normal cigarette.

In Belgium, e-cigarettes cannot contain  nicotine but in France and the UK they can.

Various experts sounded warning. Too little  is known about them and quality varies.

E-cigarettes are dangerous for your health,

especially when they are not  properly manufactured,

But I think it can be part  of a concept of harm reduction.

A fear expressed is that children  may start with e-cigarettes

and be tempted into trying the real thing,

and quite frankly I cannot see any young  14-year-old tapping on the internet,

stealing the father's credit card  and buying electronic cigarettes.

Two things seem certain:  e-cigarettes as a new product

will inevitably come under  some form of legislation.

But all the experts agree that whatever form  it takes, it won't be an outright ban.