Read articles from Europe

October 31, 2026 by vapingpost.com

Ireland has circulated two new compromise texts on EU excise duties after an earlier proposal was withdrawn and rejected by the European Parliament. A vote was postponed until November 9 to allow Sweden, a leading opponent of higher taxes on nicotine pouches, to form a government. Several other member states also have reservations about the proposed rates and their effects.

Sweden’s continuing political deadlock may prevent agreement before Lithuania assumes the EU Council presidency in January 2027. Lithuania has banned most e-cigarette flavours and sharply increased e-liquid taxes, raising concerns among vapers. However, neither tobacco taxation nor vaping is among its declared priorities, so the proposals could remain stalled.

October 29, 2026 by mojanorwegia.pl

Norway's latest figures reveal a significant generational shift in nicotine use. Daily smoking has fallen to just 6% of the population, while 15% now use snus, making it more than twice as common as cigarettes.

Among younger generations, cigarette smoking has become increasingly uncommon, although snus use remains widespread, including among people who have never smoked.

These trends highlight the importance of distinguishing between smoking and other forms of nicotine consumption. Understanding how nicotine preferences are changing can help shape tobacco harm reduction strategies that reduce exposure to combustible tobacco while addressing nicotine uptake among young people.

October 29, 2026 by substack.com

Interviews with 20 illicit tobacco users in New Zealand reveal how financial hardship, nicotine dependence and frustration with tobacco policies influence purchasing decisions.

The findings raise questions about whether public health campaigns focused on changing consumer attitudes adequately address the economic pressures driving illicit sales.

Effective tobacco control should consider affordability, taxation and access to cessation support, including lower-risk nicotine alternatives. Understanding consumers' experiences is essential to developing policies that reduce smoking-related harm rather than reinforce existing barriers.

October 29, 2026 by reason.com

Ireland's planned restrictions on vape flavours are raising concerns among independent retailers and former smokers who rely on non-tobacco flavours to stay away from cigarettes.

Eoin O'Boyle, a vape shop owner in Drogheda, says his business has helped thousands of customers quit smoking and warns that the new rules could threaten both specialist retailers and smoking cessation efforts.

With smoking prevalence still at 17% in Ireland, the potential impact on tobacco harm reduction deserves attention. Protecting young people remains essential, but restrictions should also consider the role of flavours in supporting adult smokers and the risk of driving consumers towards illicit markets.

October 28, 2026 by medicalxpress.com

A new randomised controlled trial involving 1,170 adults has found that e-cigarettes can help smokers quit even without specialist behavioural support.

Published in NEJM Evidence, the study found that 11.3% of participants receiving e-cigarettes alone stopped smoking for six months, compared with 6.4% receiving automated NHS cessation messages. Adding telephone counselling increased the quit rate to 21.1%.

The findings reinforce the role of vaping as an effective smoking cessation tool, while highlighting the additional benefits of behavioural support. Making both options accessible could help more adults move away from combustible tobacco.

October 28, 2026 by planetofthevapes.co.uk

The scale of Britain's illicit cigarette market is under renewed scrutiny, with Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) challenging industry-funded estimates that suggest 45% of cigarettes consumed are illegal, compared with HMRC's estimate of 12%.

ASH argues that illicit cigarette consumption has declined substantially despite rising tobacco taxes, while critics question the reliability of official figures.

The disagreement highlights the importance of transparent, independent data in tobacco policy. Effective regulation must address illicit trade while supporting smoking cessation and ensuring that adults retain access to regulated, lower-risk nicotine alternatives.

October 27, 2026 by clearingtheair.eu

Ireland's proposed vape flavour restrictions have cleared their final Seanad stages, despite warnings from retailers and former smokers about their potential consequences.

The legislation would restrict permitted flavour names to tobacco and unflavoured, with an amendment to retain menthol defeated. Combined with a planned 40% increase in e-liquid duty from January 2027, the measures could make vaping less affordable and appealing to adults who have already quit smoking.

While preventing youth uptake remains essential, policymakers must also consider the risk of smoking relapse and the potential impact on independent vape retailers. Effective tobacco control should protect young people without undermining progress towards a smoke-free society.

October 27, 2026 by consideratepouchers.org

The EU's latest tobacco tax proposal could introduce a minimum excise duty on nicotine pouches more than four times Sweden's current rate by 2032.

Under the draft agreement, taxation would increase progressively from 2028, potentially affecting the affordability of smoke-free nicotine alternatives across Europe. Sweden has raised objections, arguing that taxation should reflect differences in product risk.

The proposal raises important questions for tobacco harm reduction. Higher taxes on lower-risk products could weaken financial incentives for smokers to switch, highlighting the need for a risk-proportionate approach to nicotine taxation.

October 27, 2026 by politico.eu

Belgium has postponed its planned ban on smoking and vaping on café and restaurant terraces, originally scheduled for January 2027, following objections from the Council of State and concerns raised by the hospitality sector.

The delay gives policymakers an opportunity to reconsider how restrictions on smoking and vaping are applied. Protecting people from second-hand smoke remains an important public health objective, but regulation should also recognise differences in exposure and risk between combustible cigarettes and smoke-free alternatives. A proportionate approach can support smoke-free environments without overlooking tobacco harm reduction.

October 26, 2026 by substack.com

Animal studies investigating children's exposure to residual vaping aerosol have come under scrutiny for using experimental conditions that may not reflect real-world exposure.

Researcher Roberto Sussman questions the relevance of mouse studies that expose animals to heavily contaminated materials, highlighting the lack of evidence for comparable exposure levels in everyday environments where children live.

The analysis reinforces the importance of realistic exposure assessment and scientifically valid comparisons between vaping and smoking. Reliable tobacco harm reduction research must distinguish laboratory findings from risks demonstrated under real-world conditions.