Twelve EU countries, spearheaded by the Netherlands, are advocating for the European Commission to update its tobacco legislation. This push comes as health officials express concerns about the rising popularity of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches among young people, products that currently fall outside the scope of existing regulations.
In a letter addressed to Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, ministers from these nations urged a comprehensive overhaul of the Tobacco Products Directive, which has not seen significant updates since its inception in 2014. This revision is part of the EU’s broader initiative outlined in its Beating Cancer Plan.
Concerns about youth vaping
The ministers highlighted their alarm over increasing e-cigarette use among adolescents, who are particularly vulnerable to developing nicotine dependence. They stated,
“Therefore, we call upon the Commission to develop, propose and implement future-proof EU legislation to reduce the attractiveness of e-cigarettes and other emerging nicotine products (like nicotine pouches), especially to young people.”
They emphasized the need for regulations that would enforce comprehensive restrictions on flavors, limit nicotine content, and mandate plain packaging.
The impact of cross-border sales
Additionally, the letter raised concerns regarding the effectiveness of national regulations being compromised by cross-border sales of these products. The ministers pointed out that social media platforms must also take on more accountability for the marketing of vaping products, which could further endanger youth.
Vincent Karremans, the Netherlands’ Minister for Youth, Prevention and Sport, stated that vaping poses severe health risks, including addiction and potential respiratory issues. He noted alarming statistics: “Despite the major health risks, 1 in 7 young people aged 12 to 16 vape monthly. So we are dealing with a very serious problem.” In response to these health concerns, the Netherlands has already implemented a ban on flavored vapes.
The coalition comprises Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovenia, and Spain, all united in their call for stronger regulation of nicotine products across the EU.