Read articles from Europe

March 12, 2025 by dutchnews.nl

Junior health minister Vincent Karremans is considering raising the legal age to purchase cigarettes and vapes to 21 in the Netherlands. He aims to combat the serious vape issue among youths by potentially criminalizing flavored vapes, increasing fines for violations, and banning flavored vapes entirely. The government has already prohibited the sale of flavored vapes, but illegal sales persist through various channels. This new strategy is supported by the Trimbos addiction institute, emphasizing the importance of delaying nicotine exposure to avoid addiction. The Dutch health ministry is also pushing for EU regulations on e-cigarettes and tobacco products to protect public health. Unauthorized sales and harmful content in vapes remain significant concerns.

March 12, 2025 by clearingtheair.eu

Denmark will enforce a new law in July limiting the sale of nicotine pouches to a maximum of 9mg. The government aims to protect youth from addiction but faces opposition from vape advocates and harm reduction experts who argue that the restriction may push smokers towards more harmful products. Critics suggest setting a higher limit or focusing on quality standards instead. Smoke Free Sweden supports the harm reduction benefits of oral nicotine pouches over cigarettes, emphasizing the risk of users turning to illegal or unsafe alternatives due to the restriction.

March 12, 2025 by euronews.com

A French anti-tobacco group's report criticizes over 200 influencers for promoting nicotine products online in violation of French law since 2019. The report calls for stricter penalties and highlights the tobacco industry's efforts to target young people. Despite advertising bans, social media posts endorsing nicotine products persist. The influencers, with 1,000 to 20,000 followers, subtly advertise these products through events and competitions. The director of the group condemns the industry's actions, aiming to attract youth and create nicotine addiction. France aims to reduce smoking rates with regulations and price increases. Government response to these findings is pending.

March 11, 2025 by youtube.com

Bulgaria is at a crossroads. With the highest rate in the EU at 37%, the country is now considering a total ban on alternative products—a decision that could have catastrophic consequences for public health. In this episode of the WVA Podcast, we dive into the alarming situation in Bulgaria and the fight to stop this misguided prohibition. We’ve launched the "Stop The Ban" campaign to educate policymakers and the public on the life-saving potential of THR. Prohibition has never worked, and this ban risks pushing users back to deadly or dangerous black-market alternatives. Joining us is Elina Ivanova-Atanassov, a devoted vaping activist who has been on the frontlines of this battle. She shares insights into the political climate, the myths driving this ban, and what we can do to defend harm reduction and fight for our right to safer alternatives.

March 07, 2025 by independent.co.uk

A Trading Standards investigation found that 13% of vapes labeled as "nicotine-free" in the UK actually contained nicotine, sometimes exceeding legal limits. This poses a risk of unknowingly consuming the highly addictive substance, potentially hindering efforts to quit smoking. Businesses are urged to verify product claims to prevent misleading consumers. The study, part of a Department of Health initiative, underscores the importance of accurate labeling and regulation in the e-cigarette industry. Consumers and businesses are encouraged to report suspicious products and comply with standards to ensure product safety and compliance with the law.

March 06, 2025 by planetofthevapes.co.uk

Dr Konstantinos Farsalinos, a researcher in Greece, criticizes a study claiming vaping is more harmful than smoking. He supports vaping as a safer alternative, citing a study with 17,973 patients that shows switching reduces cardiac risks. Farsalinos emphasizes vaping benefits for heart health and challenges misconceptions about nicotine's cardiovascular risks. His insights question recent studies equating vaping with smoking risks, suggesting they will be debunked. The study reveals challenges in smoking cessation, highlighting the importance of promoting vaping as a harm-reduction tool for cardiovascular health.

March 06, 2025 by worldvapersalliance.com

The World Vapers’ Alliance opposes EU plans for stricter regulations on vaping and pouches that could harm efforts to reduce smoking rates. Over 100,000 Europeans signed a petition rejecting these proposals, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based policymaking and harm reduction. The WVA urges policymakers to consider safer alternatives and not hinder progress in tobacco harm reduction.

March 05, 2025 by clearingtheair.eu

Bulgaria initially proposed a total ban on vapes, but has now revised the proposal to only ban disposable vapes due to high adolescent usage. The change aims to expedite the approval process, as a complete ban could take years due to EU regulations. The initial ban was prompted by a tragic incident involving a teenager vaping an illegal substance. Critics argue for caution, suggesting that hasty bans could lead to a black market and hinder smoking cessation efforts. Additionally, a separate bill has been introduced to ban energy drinks and narcotic substances for children under 18.

March 05, 2025 by telegraph.co.uk

Jessica Kent, a doctor at the University of Toronto, encountered a patient suffering from nicotine pouch-induced toxicity, a growing concern due to nicotine pouches' popularity in the UK. Unlike snus, nicotine pouches contain flavored nicotine powder and no tobacco. They are discreet, absorbed orally, and have fewer toxins than cigarettes. However, they can lead to oral health issues and addiction, with some illegal versions containing high levels of nicotine. Concerns have been raised about the marketing of these products to young people and the potential for increased nicotine addiction, especially among professional athletes.

March 04, 2025 by swissinfo.ch

Swiss parliament progresses towards a partial ban on tobacco ads, focusing on print media. The National Council approved restrictions with some leniencies, including banning ads in print media except in sections for adults and locations inaccessible to minors. Discussions on sponsorship regulations will resume next week. The initiative aims to prohibit tobacco ads accessible to children as approved by a majority of voters in 2022. The revised law targets print media, youth events, and sponsorships, aligning with European standards.