The EU delegation representing the Union at COP11 may advocate for a ban on smokeless nicotine products at the COP11 meeting on the Tobacco Convention in Geneva. This is despite the fact that, after weeks of negotiations, it was agreed not to do so. Now Italian media are warning of the consequences.
“The novel nicotine products sector employs 100,000 people in Italy. All the talk of a ban completely lacks a socio-economic impact assessment.” writes the newspaper la Reppublica.
As Vejpkollen previously reported leaked information suggests that the agreement reached by EU countries ahead of the COP11 meeting on the tobacco convention was changed during the meeting. According to documents seen by Vejpkollen and several other media outlets, Denmark, in its capacity as Presidency, inserted an addendum to the EU delegation's position supporting ”comprehensive regulatory measures, which may include banning or restricting the manufacture, import, distribution, presentation, sale and use of new and emerging nicotine products, including ENDS, ENNDS and nicotine pouches”.
According to what Vejpkollen has learnt, this change has taken place in connection with the EU delegation's consideration of a Brazilian proposal that the Tobacco Convention should in future not only include recommendations on smokeless nicotine products but also propose stricter rules than for cigarettes.
“Fatal consequences”
According to La Reppublika, this completely violates what countries negotiated before the meeting. New smokeless nicotine products have grown into a major sector, not least in Italy and other countries such as Sweden and Poland. Banning or severely restricting new nicotine products would have disastrous consequences, according to La Reppublica.
“Several countries consider such measures to be excessive and lack socio-economic analysis. Countries” vetoes during the negotiations were based on concerns about employment and industry, especially for strategic national supply chains. In Italy, for example, the innovative products sector employs over 100,000 people." writes la Reppublica.
The COP11 meeting ends today, after a week of negotiations. At the time of writing, no final decisions on the future convention have been taken by delegates. Decisions require a full majority of the 162 participating countries.
