EU Revision of the Tobacco Products Directive

[rolygate]

Commissioner Dalli will meet with NGOs and the tobacco industry on February 29 and March 7 respectively.

Health & Consumers DG > E-News

 

[rolygate]

John Dalli, Commissioner for Health: Strengthening EU legislation on tobacco products

EUROPA - Press Releases - John Dalli Commissioner for Health Strengthening EU legislation on tobacco products High-level conference on pictorial health warnings and standardised packaging for tobacco products Brussels, 29 February 2012


"I am also considering how to regulate additives in tobacco products such as the flavours I mentioned earlier, which can act as a strong magnet to young people.

Besides attractiveness, there are two other key issues that I consider essential for the revision of the Tobacco Products Directive.

First, I am reflecting on possible ways of regulating access to tobacco in a more stringent manner to limit the exposure of minors to tobacco products.

Second, I am considering how to address new types of nicotine products on the market, such as electronic cigarettes.

This is the general framework in which I plan to propose a revision of the Tobacco Products Directive by the end of this year.

As you know, consultations are on-going and no decisions have been taken on the exact means to achieve the goals I have outlined."

 

[Tom09]

There is a recent blog post by Alberto Alemanno, a law and regulation expert who monitors developments surrounding the pending revision of the EU Tobacco Products Directive on his web site. [A good man in my book, must recall his thoughtful previous article regarding e-cigs and EU regulation. Related, he also has a recent opinion piece published in the NZZ (German language), where he points out the unlawful and unethical practice of present tobacco control.]

Alemanno (Feb 29, 2012): Further delay in the revision of the EU Tobacco Products Directive

Should the proposal be published at the end 2012, this will leave a little more than one year to the Parliament and the Council for adoption. This may cast some doubts on the future of this proposal. Indeed, given the inherent controversial character of the proposal, to work out an agreement by Spring 2014 - before the EP elections and the renewal of the Commission - may reveal mission impossible.

I think, the relatively short time frame left to move this proposal (to be published end 2012) through the legislative process by spring 2014, might be a positive for e-cig proponents. On the large scale of this Directive, e-cigs are a pet issue. A pet issue, however, that has all the science and ethics on the side of the user, and is well capable of creating a tremendous amount of controversy, presently nearly 16000 supporters on the EU online petition is just a first sign for that.