Read articles from Europe

February 14, 2025 by tobaccoreporter.com

The French parliament has banned single-use electronic cigarettes due to concerns about youth addiction and environmental impact, following a ban enacted by Belgium. Lawmakers highlighted the victory as a win for the environment and children's health. The legislation, authored by Francesca Pasquini, received cross-party support and awaits promulgation for nationwide implementation after approval by both houses of parliament.

February 14, 2025 by france24.com

The French parliament voted to ban disposable e-cigarettes due to concerns about teen nicotine addiction and environmental impact. The bill passed in the Senate, making France the second EU country to implement such a ban after Belgium. Lawmakers emphasized the health risks and environmental harm associated with pre-filled e-cigarettes popular among youth. The legislation is part of broader government efforts to combat smoking, contributing to the EU's goal of a tobacco-free generation by 2040. The ban aims to protect adolescents from the negative effects of nicotine consumption and reduce the overall smoking population in the EU.

February 12, 2025 by regulatorwatch.com

For many within public health, the war on tobacco is over—and the new enemy is nicotine. It’s an uncomfortable pivot, one that requires ignoring what may be the greatest public health achievement of the century: the collapse of smoking rates across the Western world. Instead of celebrating, tobacco control, regulators, and activists have turned their guns on safer nicotine products—demonizing vaping, banning flavors, and destroying small businesses. Joining us today to break down the lies, bans, politics, and betrayal in the war on nicotine are two of the most prolific voices in tobacco harm reduction: Lindsey Stroud, and Martin Cullip from the Taxpayers Protection Alliance out of Washington, D.C.

February 11, 2025 by brusselsreport.eu

EU Commissioner Hoekstra wrongly equates smoking with vaping, risking public health. His push for heavy vape taxation ignores evidence that flavors aid smoking cessation. Harmful policies could drive vapers back to smoking or black markets, profiting tobacco and pharma industries. Vapers must advocate for evidence-based, harm reduction approaches to preserve health gains and choices. Misinformation must be challenged to protect the right to safer alternatives. EU policies should promote accessibility to vaping for public health benefits. Now is the time for vapers to speak up against harmful regulations.

February 10, 2025 by wordpress.com

The text criticizes the HSE for falsely claiming vaping causes cancer and highlights discrepancies in the Tobacco Free Ireland Program, which fails to consider vaping as a smoking alternative. In contrast, New Zealand includes vaping in its smoke-free goals and implements safer vaping regulations. The Irish vaping proposals restrict advertisement and flavors, contrasting with New Zealand's approach. The text expresses frustration with Ireland's outdated policies and emphasizes the need to reassess strategies to reduce smoking rates effectively. It mentions concerns about the Minister for Health's legacy and suggests the tobacco industry may benefit from these ineffective policies.

February 10, 2025 by wbj.pl

Planned excise tax hikes on e-cigarettes and vaping devices may lead to product withdrawals from the market. Dr. Krzysztof Koźmiński, head of the Regulatory Impact Assessment Center, questioned the proportionality of the tax change and its potential legal implications, highlighting concerns over fairness and the short grace period for businesses to adapt. The drastic tax increases could push many businesses out of the market, with limited time to adjust to the new regulations.

February 05, 2025 by vaping360.com

The flavor ban applies to both in-person and online sales, including sales from vendors outside the country. The law also limits the number of legal flavorings in tobacco-flavored e-liquids to 16 specific flavoring components, similar to the rule adopted in The Netherlands.

February 05, 2025 by vapingpost.com

Spain has relatively high smoking rates and low vaping rates. Yet despite the real-world data indicating that endorsing the use of safer alternatives would reduce smoking rates, Spain sets further restrictions on the products, regulating them in the same way as cigarettes.

February 05, 2025 by filtermag.org

Sweden has reduced smoking rates successfully through innovation, legislation, and consumer empowerment, achieving a smoking rate of 4.5%. The use of snus, a smokeless alternative, and modern nicotine pouches has played a key role. Lessons from Sweden's approach emphasize harm reduction and empowering individuals with better choices. While Sweden has Europe's lowest lung cancer rate, replicating their model globally could save millions of lives. Challenges exist due to bans on snus and nicotine pouches in EU countries, hindering harm reduction efforts. Ensuring access to information about harm and allowing informed choices could lead to further reductions in smoking rates. Sweden's progress continues with tax policies favoring safer nicotine products and aims to phase out cigarettes entirely.

February 03, 2025 by vapingpost.com

In the U.S. and across the world, the increase in vaping has led to a significant drop in smoking rates. Sadly, instead of celebrating the fact that most smokers have shifted to using a proven safer alternative, authorities are in most cases just fixating on the increase in vaping.