Tobacco & Alternatives

Politics 17-03-2023

Novel products: The unconvinced smokers and vulnerable youth

Est. 6min

The use of novel tobacco and nicotine products should only be recommended to those heavy smokers who tried everything else and still smoke traditional cigarettes, Professor Andrzej Fal told EURACTIV.com in an interview.

Health 24-02-2023

MEP: E-cigarette ads legislation should be set at national, not EU level

Est. 4min

National legislation concerning the promotion of electronic cigarettes would be more effective than an EU-wide framework, Swedish conservative EU lawmaker Johan Nissinen told EURACTIV in an interview.

Health 16-12-2022

WHO: French youth smoke, drink less since pandemic

Est. 4min

Tobacco, alcohol and cannabis are being consumed much less by French adolescents since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, though lockdowns are not the only reason for this downward trend, according to a recent study.

Health 29-11-2022

EU tobacco taxation: The fine line between killing smoking and illicit trade

Est. 7min

The European Union’s plans to further increase tobacco taxation and reduce already declining smoking rates across the bloc have pleased public health advocates. At the same time, however, the industry warns that tax revenues may be disrupted by the rise of illicit markets that flourish when taxes are high.

Health 16-11-2022

Vaping advertising in the EU

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Est. 1min

Advertisement of e-cigarettes is expected to receive an increased attention by policymakers in the much-awaited revision of the EU’s tobacco products framework.

Health 16-11-2022

Responsible marketing can prevent young people from vaping, says industry

Est. 5min

Ahead of the European Commission’s revision of the European tobacco framework, the vaping industry has set itself new rules to better regulate advertising around the e-cigarette and reduce the attractiveness of these products to minors.

Health 02-11-2022

Health Brief: Targeting loopholes in EU tobacco directives

Est. 15min

The EU is reviewing its regulatory instruments on tobacco as planned in the EU beating cancer plan. Experts and stakeholders are hoping that the revisions will target the loopholes that exist in directives. 

Health 28-10-2022

Debate heats up over novel tobacco and nicotine products’ harmfulness

Est. 7min

Italian MEP Alessandra Moretti said scientists "know for sure” that novel alternative tobacco and nicotine products are harmful. However, some still question whether applying this approach of 'precautionary principle' is good for heavy smokers who cannot quit.

Health 12-10-2022

EU-wide excise tax on novel tobacco products: A tough equation to solve

Est. 7min

The European Commission’s intention to impose an EU-wide minimum excise tax on novel products, such as electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches, has divided relevant stakeholders over whether it could bring the desired results.

Health 29-09-2022

Stakeholders clash on need for EU plan on tobacco harm reduction

Est. 6min

Public health stakeholders are divided over whether the EU needs a strategy to reduce harm from smoking, which according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) costs Europe nearly 700,000 deaths annually.

Health 24-08-2022

Calls to lower use of tobacco increase, as Commission registers new citizens’ initiative

Est. 4min

After beginning to take steps towards decreasing tobacco use in the EU as part of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the Commission registered a new European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) on the theme on Wednesday (24 August).

Health 27-07-2021

Parliament draft report pushes for tax hike on all tobacco products

Est. 5min

A draft of a new report from the European Parliament's beating cancer committee does not distinguish between cigarettes and novel tobacco products on key points, signalling a tighter position on tobacco control, but some EU lawmakers are already mobilising to challenge this.

OpinionStakeholder Opinion
Health 11-06-2021

Tobacco is a threat to a just and sustainable development

Est. 5min

The EU is preparing a due diligence law by June 2021 to hold companies accountable for their impact on people and the planet. There is an urgent need to address the human rights violations, child labour, environmental impact, and disinformation of the tobacco industry, write Helen Stjerna, Farida Akhter, and Sonja von Eichborn.

Health 04-06-2021

EU wants tobacco-free generation as smoking numbers rise worldwide

Est. 6min

The European Commission is calling for stricter actions on tobacco regulations in a bid to have a tobacco-free generation in the EU by 2040. However, the global number of smokers continues to grow.

Health 02-06-2021

European Commission puts e-cigarettes to the test

Est. 6min

A European Commission report referencing the potential for electronic cigarettes to fall under pharmaceutical legislation has heated up the long-running debate over the health effects of these novel products.

Health 07-05-2021

MEP: E-cigarettes have a place in EU cancer plan, but we must remain vigilant

Est. 6min

E-cigarettes “undoubtedly” reduce risks compared to traditional cigarettes and have a place in the EU's plan to fight cancer. However, these products should not enjoy “lighter” regulation and Europe should treat them with the same vigilance as tobacco products, MEP Michèle Rivasi told EURACTIV in an interview.

Health 27-04-2021

Debate heats up over electronic cigarettes in Europe

Est. 8min

Electronic cigarettes and novel tobacco products have emerged as alternatives to cigarette smoking, which is responsible for nearly 700,000 deaths every year in the EU.

Health 26-05-2020

EXCLUSIVE: EU countries to propose excise tax for e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products

Est. 3min

EU member states will ask the European Commission this week to place novel tobacco products, electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products under the EU Tobacco Excise Directive, meaning they would be taxed just like traditional tobacco products, according to draft Council conclusions seen by EURACTIV.com.

Health 26-03-2020

Smokers likely to be more at risk from coronavirus

Est. 2min

Smoking can make people more susceptible to serious complications from a coronavirus infection, the European Union agency for disease control said on Wednesday (25 March), citing scientific studies, although available data is still limited.

Health 17-12-2019

EU doctors condemn ‘harmful’ novel tobacco and nicotine products

Est. 4min

New novel tobacco and nicotine products are “harmful” according to a new report released from the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME), who represent national medical associations across Europe. The report, which was published on 16 November, says that the CPME …

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Health 17-10-2019

Extreme smoking bans exclude smokers from society

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Draconian prohibitions might make politicians look good, but the costs of the measures are borne by others including the hospitality sector, employers, smokers and taxpayers.

e-cigarette
Agrifood 11-10-2019

Germany is a ‘developing country’ when it comes to tobacco regulation, expert says

Est. 6min

While Germany is being branded a 'developing country' in terms of tobacco regulation, experts warn that a new wave of cancer illnesses may be related to the consumption of E-cigarettes. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Active ageing 09-09-2019

Two-thirds of deaths of under 75-year-olds could have been prevented

Est. 2min

In 2016, the deaths of 1.2 million Europeans under 75 were considered premature and could have been prevented, according to a report by Eurostat. EURACTIV's partner Ouest-France reports.

Health 22-07-2019

Mitsotakis pledges to finally implement smoking ban in Greece

Est. 3min

The newly elected center-right government (New Democracy-EPP) in Greece has vowed to implement a smoking ban in enclosed public places, which has existed since 2008 but never took effect.