E-cigarettes 

Although no e-cigarettes are yet licensed as medicines in the UK, NICE and Public Health England have developed a draft guideline (bringing together other guidelines) stating that e-cigarettes are as effective as NRT for smoking cessation. 

The guideline (Tobacco: preventing uptake, promoting quitting and treating dependence) was published at the end of November. 

The MHRA is looking to encourage manufacturers of e-cigarettes to submit them for approval as medicinal products in England. Guidance has been updated and the approval process streamlined.