New rules classifying e-cigarettes as ‘medicinal’ have been condemned by businesses and politicians across the borough.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have announced that they will regulate e-cigarettes as medicines when new European Union laws come into force in 2016.

Currently e-cigarettes are classed as a general consumer product, sold as an alternative to cigarettes with no medicinal claims.

The products contain liquid nicotine and no tobacco, and the liquid nicotine is vaporised and absorbed through the mouth.

The NHS does not approve the use of e-cigarettes, but some have argued there are health benefits because there is no tobacco in the product. After this change, suppliers will have to apply for a medicine licence, which bosses at the Electronic Cigarette Store in Silver Street, Ramsbottom, fear could affect sales of a product which has proved popular.

Owner Chris Hew, aged 36, said: “People came in when it hit the news and started to panic buy, but we don’t know what will happen yet and nothing has been decided.

“Obviously if they were to ban it that would be a big problem. If they are regulating, then great because we know the quality of the stuff we are selling. The feedback that we get from customers is amazing.”

VIP Electronic Cigarettes, whose head office in Radcliffe runs 78 shops nationwide, has warned that apply for a medicine licence could have far-reaching cost implications for them.

Kate Shepherd, Bury Stop Smoking Service Manager from Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The vapours from electronic cigarettes are not pure nicotine, but a complex mixture of chemicals and it is unknown whether this mixture is safe. There is no evidence that electronic cigarettes are effective as treatment for nicotine addiction.”