Author: Daniel Brooks

Belgium has introduced stricter smoking regulations as part of Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke's plan to raise a "smoke-free generation" by 2028. The country's parliament recently passed the next step in the anti-smoking campaign, following a significant price increase for tobacco products. Starting April 1, Belgium will prohibit the sale of tobacco products at market stalls and music festivals. More notably, most supermarkets will also remove tobacco products from their shelves. Food stores with an area of more than 400 square meters must remove cigarettes, rolling papers, filters, and tobacco from their assortment. Retailers Required to Check ID for Customers Under…

The European Commission announced on Tuesday (19 March) its support for a Belgian bill to ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes, also known as 'puffs,' in the country. This decision, made public in a note signed by Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides, aligns with Belgium's 2022-2028 inter-federal strategy for a tobacco-free generation. Belgium aims to reduce the number of smokers aged 15-24 to 6% or less by 2028. To achieve this goal, the Belgian authorities plan to ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes, primarily used by young people, starting from 1 January 2026. Compliance with European Law and Scope of…

The Polish government has begun drafting legislation to ban the sale of flavored heated tobacco products in the country, moving swiftly to implement a European Union directive prohibiting the marketing of such products within the EU. According to "Dziennik Gazeta Prawna," the decision has been made, and the draft bill is expected to reach parliament soon. Deputy Health Minister Wojciech Konieczny informed the newspaper that while the ban could be introduced quickly, the government first intends to discuss the matter with producers. "Perhaps the regulations will introduce a ban from next year," the article suggests. The EU directive, adopted in…

A recent study conducted by an educational organization has shed light on the startling prevalence of tobacco use among Polish teenagers. While the study, based on a sample of 342 students who participated in educational workshops, may not be representative of the entire population, experts argue that it provides valuable insights into a largely unexplored issue. E-Cigarettes Dominate, Traditional Cigarettes Lose Appeal The study reveals that the majority of teenagers aged 13-19 use tobacco products, with a significant portion engaging in daily use, putting them on a fast track to addiction. Notably, traditional cigarettes have lost their appeal, with only…

Poland's Minister of Health, Izabela Leszczyna, has announced that her ministry will begin working on a ban on the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes. The move comes in response to growing concerns about the rapid increase in usage among young people, with recent data indicating that 64 percent of youth have had contact with these products. Exploring Legal Pathways for Swift Implementation During an interview with TVP Info, Minister Leszczyna revealed that she had received the green light from Prime Minister Donald Tusk to proceed with drafting appropriate legislation. She emphasized her desire to pursue the fastest possible route to…

The Polish Ministry of Health has announced its intention to ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes in the coming months, with Deputy Health Minister Wojciech Konieczny expressing his desire to implement the ban before the summer holidays. In a recent interview on Polish Radio's Program One, Konieczny emphasized his support for a complete ban on these products. Targeting Youth Consumption and Addiction Konieczny highlighted the urgency of introducing the ban, citing statistical data that indicates a surge in the use of disposable e-cigarettes during the summer months. He attributed this trend to the products' popularity among young people, who are…

The French National Assembly unanimously adopted a cross-party bill on Monday, December 4, 2023, to ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes, known as "puffs," as part of the new national plan to combat smoking. The text must now go to the Senate and obtain approval from the European Commission, a process the government hopes to see completed by the end of next summer. These inexpensive, colorful, and flavored non-rechargeable "puffs" offer a certain number of puffs with a nicotine level between 0 and 20 mg/ml, which "opens the way to strong addiction," especially among minors, according to Health Minister…

France's Minister of Health and Prevention, Aurélien Rousseau, announced on Tuesday that the price of a pack of cigarettes will increase to a minimum of €13 by 2026, with an initial step to €12 in 2025. The announcement came as part of the presentation of the national program to combat smoking, which aims to "build the first smoke-free generation by 2032" in France, a commitment made by President Emmanuel Macron. Rousseau emphasized that raising tobacco prices "is indeed the most effective measure against tobacco, according to the WHO and all independent studies on the subject." The anti-smoking program relies on…

The French government announced on Tuesday a comprehensive anti-smoking plan that includes banning smoking on beaches, near public buildings like schools, and in public parks and forests starting next year. The plan also aims to make smoking more expensive and less attractive, particularly to younger people, as part of an ambitious effort to produce the first "no-tobacco generation" by 2032. Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau, speaking at a news conference in Paris, acknowledged the progress made in reducing smoking rates among 17-year-olds, which dropped from 25 percent in 2017 to 16 percent in 2022. However, he emphasized that "tobacco remains a…

The Belgian federal government has introduced a significant excise duty on e-liquids used in popular electronic cigarettes, effective January 1, 2024. This measure will increase the cost of a 50 ml bottle of e-liquid from 15 euros to 22.5 euros, a nearly 8 euro rise. The tax is part of a broader effort to discourage both smoking and vaping in the country. According to the Federal Public Service Finance, the excise duty amounts to 15 cents per milliliter and applies not only to e-liquids but also to any substance intended for use in an electronic cigarette or that can be…