The Government of the UK is attempting to introduce legislation, through the body which regulates medicines - the MHRA, which would make the selling of all unlicensed nicotine products illegal.
The only exemption would be for tobacco products (more on that in a while).

The MHRA have published a Public Consultation Document (MLX 364):The regulation of nicotine containing products.

If this legislation is allowed to pass unchecked then the net result will be that from the 21st of June 2010 it will no longer be possible for companies in the UK to sell any unlicensed nicotine products i.e. electric cigarette cartridges or bottled nicotine liquid (e-liquid). There will not be time for any licenses to be acquired by merchants or manufacturers of unlicensed nicotine products so in effect trade in these products will cease on June 21st.

At the moment this legislation is in the consultation stage. The MHRA has to consider responses from any interested parties before it make a decision

What can you do ? (Please do not let apathy overtake you if you are against the legislation)

1. Read the document (PDF) 
2. Use the response form to let the MHRA know how this legislation will affect you.
   • Give them any testimonials you have about how Electric Cigarettes have helped you or a family member.
   • If you fear that without access to e-liquid or electric cigarette cartridges you may return to smoked tobacco then tell them.
   • If you feel your health has improved since using an electric cigarette inform them of the fact.
   • Ask why Tobacco gets an exemption when its such a major cause of ill health and death.
3. Send a hard-copy of the same response, via recorded delivery, to  Amanda Bryan, MHRA, Room 14-212, Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW8 5NQ
4. Speak to your doctor and ask them to respond to the consultation if they can attest to any benefits to yourself, or their other patients, through the use of electric cigarettes .
5. Email (or speak to) your MP and ask them to acquaint themselves with the MHRA's MLX (364) while explaining how the legislation will affect you
6. There are petitions you can add your name to. While unlikely to be as effective as the points above it only takes a second and can only help.
   • http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/ecigarettes/
   • http://www.petitiononline.com/vaping/petition.html
7. I will soon be sending out a short survey to my customers (who are on the mailing list) regarding their use of electric cigarettes and the affects on their health etc. All completed, returned surveys will be sent to the MHRA by myself

As some food for thought - What I find bizarre about this legislation is the fact that, without providing any explanation of why, Tobacco products are exempt. If you read the document (MLX 364) it states in several places the dangers posed by smoking tobacco. And in another section (Para 10) you can read "While the risks to health from smoking tobacco are well established, a body of evidence is emerging that suggests that nicotine, while addictive, is actually a very safe drug". Yet Tobacco gets an exemption and safer nicotine products get regulation which to all intents and purposes amounts to a ban !

Remember your voice is important, we cannot allow this legislation to be passed. It is destructive and ill thought out.

ACT NOW AND DEFEND YOUR RIGHTS.