Have your say in the EU regulation update of novel tobacco products

The European Commission (EC) recently looked into how novel tobacco products are controlled by law. Following this, they are now collecting new evidence to update the EU Council’s 2009 Recommendation on smoke-free environments. The smoke free environments recommendation encourages countries to put legal restrictions on smoking in enclosed public places, on public transport and in workplaces.

The update aims to extend the Recommendation’s coverage to newer products, such as vapes, and broaden its scope to more outdoor spaces such as schools and playgrounds.

This is part of a wider aim to achieve a Tobacco-Free Generation in Europe by 2040. New products are growing in popularity and sales increased by 10% in 2 years (from 2018 to 2020) across the EU. The EC is seeking to introduce better regulation for these new products. For instance, on 29 June the EC proposed to prohibit the sale of flavoured heated tobacco products in the EU.

The EC is asking for your feedback

The deadline to submit your feedback on smoke-free environments is 20 July 2022 at 23:59 CEST. If you have suggestions for ELF submission, please get in touch with polina.starchenko@europeanlung.org

Learn more and participate: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13333-Smoke-free-environments-updated-recommendation_en

* REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION on the establishment of a substantial change of circumstances for heated tobacco products in line with Directive 2014/40/EU https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52022DC0279&qid=1655456179686