A senior politician for the region has joined protestors in Brussels opposed to plans to restrict access to electronic cigarettes .

Liberal Democrat MEP Rebecca Taylor (above) is against proposals to regulate electronic cigarettes as medicinal products, a move which would significantly restrict their availability.

She said: “I believe e-cigs are a vital weapon in the war against tobacco.

"There is a real danger that medicines regulation will weaken this weapon considerably. I will fight to prevent that.

"We should be helping those who want to quit smoking, not pushing them back to tobacco.

“It was great to meet other campaigners in Brussels. I would encourage all those who are concerned about potential overly stringent regulation of e-cigs to make their views known.”

Lib Dem MEPs have been actively campaigning to make sure e-cigarettes remain readily available for people who want to quit smoking tobacco.