Read articles from Europe

April 23, 2025 by euractiv.com

Greece's conservative government is preparing a bill to ban all flavoured alternative tobacco products, except for natural tobacco and mint. Although Greece has typically resisted stricter regulations on these products, recent incidents involving underage alcohol consumption have strengthened the case for tougher measures. The draft law aims to limit minors’ access to tobacco and alcohol and would remove popular flavours like chocolate and watermelon from the market. This could impact around 10,000 jobs, including 2,000 specialized retailers. The bill is in its final consultation phase, but it’s still uncertain if the flavour ban will remain in the final version.

April 23, 2025 by greekreporter.com

Greece is preparing a bill to ban all flavoured e-cigarettes and alternative tobacco products, aiming to make their sale out-of-reach for Greek teenagers. Under the draft law, flavours like biscuit, chocolate, watermelon, fruit and even whiskey, which are particularly popular among both teenagers and adults, would be pulled off the market, with only tobacco and mint flavours spared. The e-cigarette sector in Greece employs about 10,000 people, including 2,000 specialized retailers.

April 22, 2025 by news-medical.net

British disposable vape ban announcement in 2024 led to a decline in e-cigarette use rates, with users switching to refillable devices. A study tracked these changes, highlighting the influence of policy on health decisions. Since 2021, youth vaping surged due to disposable vapes' appeal, prompting UK bans in 2025. Manufacturers now offer reusable alternatives. Findings suggest a shift away from disposables, indicating potential declines in vape usage. Policies play a crucial role in curbing vaping trends. Researchers analyzed data from the Smoking Toolkit Study, revealing a shift towards refillable devices post-ban. The move towards sustainability in vaping indicates positive environmental impacts but may not drastically reduce overall vaping rates.

April 18, 2025 by itv.com

Illicit nicotine pouches are flooding the UK, posing health risks, especially to children. These legal products, initially designed to help adults quit smoking, are unregulated and can be highly potent. Trading Standards reported a 112% increase in seizures, with over 8,000 confiscated in a year. Nicotine pouches are popular among teenagers due to their flavors and packaging but can lead to nicotine poisoning. Experts suggest regulating their nicotine content to protect public health. Concerns include accidental ingestion by children, addiction, and adverse effects on mental health. Legislation aims to prevent sales to minors and curb appealing branding, but calls for further restrictions persist.

April 18, 2025 by itv.com

Illicit nicotine pouches are flooding the UK, posing health risks, especially to children. These legal products, initially designed to help adults quit smoking, are unregulated and can be highly potent. Trading Standards reported a 112% increase in seizures, with over 8,000 confiscated in a year. Nicotine pouches are popular among teenagers due to their flavors and packaging but can lead to nicotine poisoning. Experts suggest regulating their nicotine content to protect public health. Concerns include accidental ingestion by children, addiction, and adverse effects on mental health. Legislation aims to prevent sales to minors and curb appealing branding, but calls for further restrictions persist.

April 17, 2025 by snusforumet.se

Danish vaping restrictions, including a flavour ban, have not curbed youth vaping, with usage almost doubling in two years. Banned flavours are still popular, revealing the limited effectiveness of such bans. A Danish Health Authority report shows a shift from smoking to vaping, especially among young adults. Illegal markets for banned vape flavours are thriving, highlighting the failure of overregulation. Concerns are raised over proposed stricter regulations, with calls to learn from Swedish harm reduction policies. Despite intentions to reduce youth vaping, the Danish flavour ban is deemed unsuccessful, prompting reevaluation of current and future regulations by industry experts.

April 17, 2025 by worldvapersalliance.com

Consumer advocates and vaping organizations warn against Greece's proposed ban on vape flavors, fearing it will reverse progress in reducing smoking rates. The ban could push adults back to smoking or the black market, ignoring evidence that flavors help smokers quit. Advocates urge policymakers to prioritize harm reduction, engage with experts, and consider evidence-based regulations to protect youth without penalizing adult smokers.

April 17, 2025 by cureus.com

Smoking rates remain high in Germany despite the well-known serious health risks. This survey assessed motivation to stop smoking in Germany and barriers to quitting smoking or switching to two types of smoke-free products (SFPs): e-cigarettes (E-cigs) and heated tobacco products (HTPs).

April 16, 2025 by independent.co.uk

A study by University College London suggests that the upcoming disposable vapes ban may have limited impact on e-cigarette use, as people shift towards refillable devices. Vaping rates in the UK have stabilized, with a decline in disposable vape use. Researchers believe stricter vape policies could deter smokers from quitting. The study, funded by Cancer Research UK, analyzed data from over 88,000 adults. Policymakers are advised to prioritize measures that support smoking cessation while tackling youth vaping trends. Regulations on marketing and packaging are recommended to strike a balance. The Government aims to create a smoke-free generation with the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, addressing both addiction and waste issues related to vaping.

April 16, 2025 by bbc.com

Disposable vape use in the UK is declining as a ban set for June 2025 approaches. A University College London study shows a significant drop in 16-24 year-olds using disposable vapes, likely switching to refillable options. The ban aims to reduce littering and youth vaping rates. Experts emphasize vaping's role in smoking cessation but warn of risks for non-smokers, especially youth. The study surveyed 88,611 people and observed a rise in vape usage before the ban announcement, now followed by a shift towards reusable devices. Vape manufacturers are adapting by producing rechargeable versions. The impact of the ban on youth vaping remains uncertain, with a focus on balancing vaping regulation with smoking cessation efforts.