12 countries push for EU crackdown on vapes

The executive was also expected to revisit the EU’s basic tobacco control rules, the Tobacco Products Directive, with more provisions targeting new products like vapes and heated tobacco. But that also hasn’t happened during this mandate.

Some EU countries have already taken national measures to clamp down on vapes, with France and Belgium having both announced a ban on disposable nicotine e-cigarettes.

But the group of 12 countries, which also include Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland and Slovenia, say national rules don’t always work because the products “are not limited by borders and national regulations.”

“They are easily accessible on the internet and from countries that have not developed a legal framework for such products,” the paper reads. 

A report from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids said earlier this year that tens of millions of young people see posts promoting nicotine pouches and vapes using discounts, giveaways and paid influencers, largely through Instagram.

“We need an ambitious European solution if we are to address this problem efficiently and to protect our children and young people from the harmful effects of nicotine and products that, in addition, can be a gateway for tobacco products,” Denmark’s paper said.