We have some upsetting news as it has become apparent there is a potential EU flavour ban on the horizon.
As the UK has withdrawn from Europe this will not affect us as such but our Buddies in Ireland will be under this legislation.
Also EU law can prompt UK authorities to take similar action – and any bans may have the public asking why the UK are not following the lead.
EUTPD
This has come about due to the EU revising the EUTPD (European Tobacco Products Directive). In the UK we have our own TPD which limits nic strengths and tank / bottle sizes.
On the 21st June 2024) a proposed meeting of the EU health ministers was to be held and the Danish Health Minister added proposals to the agenda.
From the Eureporter article…
“The alarm was raised by the newly re-elected Swedish MEP Charlie Weimers on his first day back in Brussels. “Apparently, Denmark has opened up to a ban on the flavouring of new nic products, including nic pouches”, he tweeted. “Denmark is trying to pre-empt the Revision of the Tobacco Products Directive expected during this term”.”
Also there has not been a published report regarding the new TPD (TPD2) consultations due to a halt on some measures ahead of the European Parliament elections and appointing a new commission.
However there are talks about this “short-cutting” the usual democratic process and rushing the policy through before the present commission ends meaning there has not been the time for everyone to present their views.
“This would not be the first time the Commission has tried to short-circuit the democratic process. Courts in member states have upheld challenges to domestic legislation that transposed European directives. Judges found that they went beyond EU law in the regulation of heated tobacco products and other safer alternatives to cigarettes.”
“But even if the Commission loses when these cases eventually reach the European Court of Justice, the damage will have been done. Too many smokers will continue to use cigarettes instead of switching to devices, such as vapes and e-cigarettes that give them the nic they crave without inhaling the smoke that causes cancer.”
“It’s impossible not to see the fingerprints of the Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, DG SANTE, on the request sent by the Danish Health Minister to his EU counterparts, asking for support for radical proposals that would effectively bypass the TPD continuous evaluation process, Denmark has the worst record for reducing cigarette smoking of any Nordic country, with the percentage of the population that smokes three time higher than in neighbouring Sweden.”
54,000 Voices Ignored: EU Health Ministers’ Flavour Ban Push Threatens Public Health and Democracy
Brussels, 19.06.2024 – Vapers across Europe have raised the alarm before the EPSCO Council meeting on Thursday, where Ministers will make aggressive push to ban flavours in safer nic products.
This move bypasses democratic processes and disregards the voices of 54,000 citizens who have signed a petition against such a ban organised by the World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA).
“Every year, 700,000 lives are needlessly lost in the EU due to smoking-related diseases. By recklessly pushing for a flavour ban on safer nic alternatives, they are playing with lives and ignoring the clear will of the people. It’s time to stop this madness and listen to science and the citizens they serve,” said Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers Alliance.
The European Commission has yet to consult the public on a new Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). This delay has left a void that Ministers aim to exploit, sidelining the necessary scientific evaluation, public consultation, and parliamentary scrutiny.
Record numbers of submissions marked the European Commission’s initial Consultation, primarily from citizens supporting safer nic products.
Flavours play a significant role in helping adult smokers transition away from cigarettes and maintain abstinence from smoking. Ignoring this fact endangers public health and disregards the overwhelming support from European citizens who have voiced their opposition to a flavour ban.
The WVA calls in an open letter on EU Health Ministers to reject the flavour ban proposal and instead focus on policies that are informed by science and reflect the will of the people. As the next iteration of the Tobacco Products Directive is considered, it is imperative that EU policymakers recognise the importance of alternative products in reducing smoking rates and protecting public health. “This isn’t just about regulation, it’s about lives. We must prioritise harm reduction and listen to the voices of the people,” added Landl.