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Tag: EU

  • EPP Accused of Being Tobacco ‘Mouthpiece’ Ahead of Vote

    EPP Accused of Being Tobacco ‘Mouthpiece’ Ahead of Vote

    An article published by Euractiv today (June 16) reports that the European People’s Party (EPP), the largest group in the European Parliament, is facing criticism from public health organizations and political opponents ahead of a key vote on EU tobacco policy, with critics accusing the party of advancing positions aligned with the tobacco industry. The dispute centers on the European Commission’s ongoing review of the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), including potential new rules for nicotine pouches, vaping products and other reduced-risk alternatives.

    According to Euractiv, health advocates argue the EPP has opposed stricter restrictions on newer nicotine products, while the EPP maintains that regulation should be evidence-based and account for harm reduction. The debate comes as the EU considers significant revisions to tobacco and nicotine regulations that could affect product availability, taxation and market access across the bloc.

  • NACS Calls for Fact-Based Approach in EU Tob. Directive Review

    NACS Calls for Fact-Based Approach in EU Tob. Directive Review

    The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) urged European Union policymakers to conduct a comprehensive socio-economic assessment before revising the Tobacco Products Directive, warning that poorly assessed regulatory changes could increase illicit trade, reduce tax revenues, and harm small retailers. The group noted that Europe’s convenience retail sector comprises more than 684,000 outlets generating more than €250 billion in annual revenue, while an estimated 38.9 billion illicit cigarettes are consumed across the EU each year, resulting in approximately €11.6 billion in lost tax revenue.

    NACS called for greater consideration of impacts on small- and medium-sized enterprises, employment, and supply chains, and urged policymakers to fully evaluate illicit trade risks before implementing further tobacco regulation changes.

  • Bulgarian Tobacco Farmers Urge EC to Consider Rural Impact of Regs

    Bulgarian Tobacco Farmers Urge EC to Consider Rural Impact of Regs

    More than 8,300 tobacco growers in Bulgaria urged the European Commission to assess the economic and social impact of planned revisions to the EU Tobacco Products Directive, warning that new regulations should not harm rural communities or fuel illicit trade. In a video submission to the Commission’s public consultation, growers said decisions made in Brussels could have significant consequences for tobacco-dependent regions across Bulgaria and the EU.

    The appeal comes as the EU prepares a major overhaul of tobacco and nicotine product regulations, with producers calling for detailed impact assessments on farming, employment, local economies, and the wider tobacco value chain before legislative proposals are finalized later this year.

  • Netherlands Rules Out Disposable Vape, Filter Bans

    Netherlands Rules Out Disposable Vape, Filter Bans

    The Dutch cabinet ruled out introducing a national ban on disposable vapes and cigarette filters, saying legal constraints make such measures unworkable domestically and that regulation should instead be handled at the EU level in the Netherlands.

    In a letter to parliament, ministers cited research showing a filter ban could reduce microplastic pollution without increasing health risks, but argued enforcement would be weak because consumers could easily switch to imports or illicit markets. They also said a national ban on disposable vapes would conflict with EU tobacco rules, despite concerns about environmental damage and fire risks linked to waste processing incidents.

    The cabinet said it will instead push for a Europe-wide ban in Brussels and continue enforcement against illegal vape trade, while flavored vapes are already prohibited in the country.

  • BAT Encouraging Participation in EU’s Call for Evidence

    BAT Encouraging Participation in EU’s Call for Evidence

    British American Tobacco launched an initiative aimed at encouraging adult consumers and retail partners to participate in the European Commission’s Call for Evidence on future EU tobacco and nicotine legislation. The campaign, titled “Share Your Voice,” is designed to drive engagement with the EU’s ongoing review of its Tobacco Products Directive and direct stakeholders to the Commission’s “Have Your Say” consultation platform during the current feedback period.

    The company said the initiative is intended to provide practical insight into how proposed regulatory changes could affect real-world product use and retail operations, arguing that better-informed policymaking requires input from consumers who have switched to smokeless alternatives. BAT estimates that more than 30 million adults in Europe now use smokeless nicotine products and warns that parts of the Commission’s policy direction could restrict or ban categories of reduced-risk products.

    The European Commission has indicated in its April 2026 evaluation report that it is considering tighter restrictions on tobacco and nicotine products as part of an updated regulatory framework. The consultation process remains open to stakeholders as part of the legislative review process.

  • EU Requests Feedback on New Tobacco Control Rules

    EU Requests Feedback on New Tobacco Control Rules

    The European Commission launched a public consultation on plans to update the EU’s tobacco control framework, reflecting changing market dynamics, evolving consumption trends, and the growing role of digital marketing in nicotine product promotion. The proposed directive aims to strengthen public health protections, improve the functioning of the EU internal market, and support implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in line with Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. The feedback period for the initiative runs from May 18 to June 15, and is expected to inform future regulatory changes affecting traditional tobacco products as well as emerging nicotine categories.

  • EU Tobacco Scale Doesn’t Always Add Up

    EU Tobacco Scale Doesn’t Always Add Up

    The latest European Tobacco Control Scale released by public health researchers, ranked Ireland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France at the top, based on criteria such as taxation policies, broad smoking restrictions, comprehensive advertising bans, and greater investment in cessation and prevention programs. Mid-ranked countries such as Germany and Austria were docked for partial policy coverage across key tobacco control measures, while Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina were at the bottom, criticized for less strict regulations, tobacco industry influence, and not fully investing in World Health Organization best practices.

    However, the ranking does not always correspond directly with smoking prevalence outcomes across Europe. While the U.K. and the Netherlands earned their lofty rankings with smoking rates of 10.6% and 11% respectively, top-ranked Ireland has a smoking rate of 17%, with France checking in at 18.2%, both higher than last-ranked Bosnia and Herzegovina with an estimated smoking rate as low as 15.5% according to the Tobacco Atlas 2025 estimate. Switzerland’s smoking rate is 20%, Austria’s is as high as 21%, while Germany’s is as high as 24%.

  • Report: New 15% Tobacco Tax One of Five Streams EU Considering  

    Report: New 15% Tobacco Tax One of Five Streams EU Considering  

    Reuters reported that the European Union is discussing five new revenue streams that would help fund its seven-year budget, allowing for new priorities like defense ​and competitiveness and service joint debt, while limiting cuts to agriculture and regional aid.

    The proposed streams for 2028-2034 are an emissions trading system, a carbon border adjustment mechanism levy, a non-collected electronic ⁠waste tax, a corporate ​resource for ⁠Europe levy, and a tobacco excise duty. The tobacco tax would be a new 15% uniform call-rate tobacco duty, paid by EU member states from national budgets, which would bring in an estimated €11.2 billion ​a year, the ​Commission says.

    By a vote of 370-201, EU’s parliament voted to increase its budget 1.26%, increasing total spending to about €1.94 trillion.

  • Cyprus Compromise May Solve EU Tobacco Impasse

    Cyprus Compromise May Solve EU Tobacco Impasse

    International Policy Digest is reporting that a new compromise proposal from Cyprus may help break the long-standing deadlock among EU member states over revising the Tobacco Excise Directive, which has not been updated since 2011. The European Commission’s 2025 proposal sought to raise minimum excise duties and extend taxation to newer products such as heated tobacco and nicotine pouches, but faced strong opposition from several countries concerned about market disruption and illicit trade.

    The Cyprus proposal retains higher taxes and broader product coverage but introduces a more gradual approach, including transition periods for implementation and limits on automatic inflation-linked increases. It also offers more flexibility for member states in applying taxes to newer nicotine products, addressing key concerns raised in earlier negotiations that stalled progress.

    Initial reactions from EU governments suggest cautious support for the revised approach, though unanimous agreement from all 27 member states remains required. The outcome is time-sensitive, as failure to reach a deal during Cyprus’s presidency could shift negotiations to Ireland, where officials are expected to push for stricter tax measures.

  • EU Smoking Rate Drops 4% Since 2012

    EU Smoking Rate Drops 4% Since 2012

    The European Commission reported that smoking prevalence across the European Union is currently 24% as it released an evaluation of the bloc’s tobacco control framework on April 2, down slightly from 28% in 2012. The review assessed the performance of the Tobacco Products Directive and the Tobacco Advertising Directive, citing progress in public health protection, reduced tobacco-related deaths, and improved internal market functioning through harmonized rules on labeling, ingredient reporting, packaging, traceability, and cross-border advertising restrictions.

    The evaluation also flagged gaps in current legislation amid the rapid growth of novel nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches, which the Commission said pose particular risks for youth and may act as a gateway to nicotine addiction. While traditional advertising has been curtailed, digital and covert online promotion remains a challenge. Based on the findings, the Commission will begin an impact assessment and consultations ahead of a planned proposal in 2026 to revise the EU’s tobacco control laws.