Thousands of Swedes have already had their say on future EU regulations for white snus, heat-not-burn products and e-cigarettes. Now, several consumer organisations are issuing a final call for users to get involved before the European Commission’s consultation closes.
– If the EU succeeds in pushing through its plans, there is a risk that this will restrict the availability of snus, vapes and other alternatives to cigarettes, writes the Swedish Snus Users’ Association.
The European Commission has announced that it intends to present an initial proposal for a revision of the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) before the end of the year. This work is being carried out in parallel with the drafting of a new tax directive for nicotine products, as previously reported by Vejpkollen.
According to the Commission, the regulatory framework needs to be updated because the market has changed since the current directive was adopted more than ten years ago. New product categories have emerged, not least nicotine pouches, whilst the use of e-cigarettes has grown rapidly.
New rules on flavours and nicotine pouches
The current TPD regulates, among other things, the maximum nicotine content in e-liquids (20 mg/ml), the size of pre-filled tanks and the maximum size of nicotine e-liquid bottles. However, with the forthcoming directive, the European Commission intends to go further.
– The directive should be strengthened to include rules on flavourings in e-cigarettes and e-liquids, single-use products, heated tobacco products and other nicotine products such as nicotine pouches and nicotine-free vejp products, writes the European Commission.
Thousands of members of the public have responded
To date, over 70,000 responses have been received via the official consultation. The responses come from businesses, public authorities, interest groups and researchers. However, a large proportion also comes from members of the public who wish to influence future regulations on nicotine products. Just over 3,500 responses have been recorded from Sweden so far.
”Snus helped me give up smoking”
One of those who has chosen to give their views is Hasan Abbas.
– I started smoking cigarettes when I was 16 years old in my home country. When I came to Sweden at the age of 18, I discovered snus. It helped me give up smoking completely. Since then, eight years on, I haven’t smoked a single cigarette, he writes.
– For me, snus turned out to be a much better option. I don’t have to put up with the smoke, the smell or the worry of exposing those around me to second-hand smoke. It’s made a huge difference to my life.
Doctors call for proportionate rules
People with a medical background have also chosen to take part in the consultation. A Swedish doctor, who wishes to remain anonymous, emphasises that different nicotine products carry different risks and should therefore not be treated in exactly the same way.
– As a doctor, I see the serious consequences of cigarette smoking on a daily basis, in the form of lung diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. I do not see the same pattern when it comes to snus. This does not mean that snus is risk-free, but different nicotine products carry different risks and should therefore not be treated as if they were identical, he writes.
He believes that the regulations must protect minors, but at the same time warns of the consequences of overly restrictive bans.
– It is important to protect young people and provide clear information about the risks of nicotine use. At the same time, regulation should be proportionate. Overly far-reaching bans risk having the opposite effect and driving users towards unregulated products.
Consumer organisations are rallying ahead of the deadline
The official consultation closes at midnight on 15 June.
Several consumer organisations across Europe are now urging their members to take part before the deadline expires.
– If the EU succeeds in pushing through its plans, there is a risk that this will restrict both snus and other alternatives to cigarettes. That is why it is important for users themselves to make their voices heard, writes the Swedish Snus Users’ Association.
To help members formulate their views, the organisation has developed a text generator. Similar tools are also available from other consumer and advocacy organisations across Europe, including the news and activist website Clearing the Air, which monitors issues relating to smoking, harm reduction and access to smoke-free nicotine products.
Vaping has helped me quit smoking. I haven't had a cigarette in over a year.
I’d rather use snus or vapes than cigarettes. That way, the people around me don’t have to put up with the smell of smoke, and they’re grateful for that.
A good response to send to the European Commission!
I’ve given up smoking, and it’s all thanks to e-cigarettes, after I’d tried just about everything else.
I haven’t smoked a normal cigarette for over 10 years. Banning e-cigarettes would almost certainly make me go back to smoking normal cigarettes.
That’s a very important point! Go ahead and send it to the European Commission, I say!