EU Commission declines to confirm December timetable for nicotine rules
November 13, 2026 by clearingtheair.eu
EU Commission declines to confirm December timetable for nicotine rules
The European Commission has declined to confirm whether its proposed revision of the Tobacco Products Directive will be published in December, amid reports of a possible delay until January 2027.
The uncertainty follows reported concerns over the proposal's impact assessment, while Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi continues to face criticism for suggesting that newer nicotine products carry the same risks as conventional tobacco.
The developments raise important questions about scientific accuracy and transparency in EU tobacco policy. Future regulation should recognise differences in product risk and consider the role of smoke-free alternatives in reducing smoking-related harm.
