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The European Commission (EC) opens a public consultation in which the update of the Tobacco Products Directive will be evaluated. Thus, the Spanish Consumer Association has asked interested citizens to participate, leave their points of view and thus contribute to the prevention of illegal sales or smuggling. Consumers are concerned about the future of alternatives to traditional cigarettes as they are helping smokers consume nicotine in a less harmful way than cigarettes and the EU proposal may ‘condemn’ them to stick with combustion tobacco.
The community initiative seeks to update the current Tobacco Products Directive so that it adapts to all the changes and developments that have occurred in the market. Among them, the appearance and consolidation of alternative products to the traditional cigarette, such as vaper or heated tobacco devices as well as new consumer habits that did not exist when the current regulations were approved.
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The association considers that public consultation is one more opportunity for consumers to express their opinions before European standards are consolidated. Participating in this process is important to prevent regulation from being limited to prohibitions or restrictions without assessing the consequences that the measures have had.
They ask that the opinion of users of alternative products be considered
One of the aspects that most worries the Spanish Consumer Association is the impact that the rule could have, if it were stricter, in the future of vapers and similar products. That is, in the current alternatives to conventional tobacco.
And in a statement, they warn that they have received inquiries from consumers who are concerned about what will happen to those who have opted for alternative products.
They argue that a regulation that excessively limits its use and prohibits some flavors could directly affect adults who have chosen these options as an alternative to cigarettes.
For this reason, the association requests that the future standard take into account the choice of adult consumers and that all measures approved be justified from a health and consumer protection point of view.
They warn of the risk of increasing the illegal market
The Spanish Consumer Association has warned that there is a risk that very powerful restrictions could favor the illegal market. This would be another problem since when purchased outside the law, the products do not have the same health guarantees and sales to minors cannot be controlled either.
How to participate in the procedure
To participate in this public consultation, you will have to enter the official portal of the European Commission and search for ‘tobacco products and tobacco advertising: review of EU rules’. Then, complete a registration and click on ‘send comments’ to later provide your opinion.
Miguel A. Ruiz, president of the association, is going to record the association’s assessments in this procedure and has encouraged consumers to participate, asking them for “total objectivity” in an issue that, as he has pointed out, affects public health and consumer rights.
On many occasions, he points out, both in Spain and in Europe the debate has gone “simple”, focusing the debate on limitations but other problems such as smuggling, illegal sales or plain packaging are not addressed.