Eight EU countries call for nicotine product “market freeze”
October 06, 2026 by clearingtheair.eu
Eight EU countries call for nicotine product “market freeze”
Eight EU health ministers, led by the Netherlands, have urged banning nicotine products outside the Tobacco Products Directive and imposing nicotine caps, flavour bans, plain packaging and standardised devices on remaining products. Critics argue these measures would undermine smoking alternatives and use political pressure to advance restrictions absent from a recent consultation. Nicotine pouches are particularly contentious, with Sweden expected to oppose an EU-wide ban because of their popularity there. The text also warns of political consequences in France and Spain, where upcoming elections could shift government positions. Right-wing parties, including France’s National Rally and Spain’s Vox, have opposed restrictive approaches to vaping or other smoking alternatives.
