EuroHealthNet backs EU ministers’ demand for swift action on vapes and nicotine pouches
EuroHealthNet endorses the recent call by EU health ministers for urgent and comprehensive action on vapes and nicotine pouches, ahead of their informal meeting in Warsaw this week. In a letter to EU Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, ministers from twelve countries have demanded a robust EU-wide legislation to curb the growing appeal of these products, particularly among young people, ultimately helping to achieve a ‘tobacco-free’ generation by 2040.
“Vapes and nicotine pouches are a gateway to tobacco smoking and have severe health consequences. The EU has a duty to take swift action by making novel products less attractive and less available, especially to young people.”
Caroline Costongs
Director of EuroHealthNet
Amplifying the Ministers’ call for "future-proof" legislation, EuroHealthNet asks for the long-overdue revision of the EU Tobacco Directives. Due to the significant delays of EU legislation, it also encourages European countries to lead the way in tobacco prevention and control by implementing measures that align with their specific contexts.
In its new policy brief, EuroHealthNet puts forward key policy recommendations and examples of good practices to inspire national, regional, and local governments and encourage action at the EU level.
“We urgently need to make progress on European tobacco legislation and implement Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. National, regional, and local governments can and do lead by example, taking proactive action."
Silvia Ganzerla
Policy Manager at EuroHealthNet
A good example is Ireland’s ‘Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products Act’, which prohibits the sale of nicotine-inhaling products to individuals under 18 years and bans advertising near schools, at events targeting children, and on public transport. Another promising initiative is Belgium’s nationwide ban on disposable electronic cigarettes. Belgium provided justification based on public health and environmental considerations, which were accepted by the European Commission as compliant with EU rules.
Examples like these show that actions with positive public health impacts can be taken at any level. However, to achieve a tobacco-free generation in Europe, they need to be complemented by ambitious EU legislation as soon as possible.
On 24-25 March European Health Ministers met at an informal meeting in Warsaw as part of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Amongst other things they discussed health promotion, disease prevention and the effectiveness of prevention programmes.
