The Confederation of European Community Cigarette Manufacturers (CECCM) warned the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) approved by the European Parliament is a "disproportionate" recipe for increased illicit trade.

“We support the European Commission’s right to regulate tobacco products, as long as legitimate health objectives are achieved”, said CECCM Chairman Michiel Reerink. “Unfortunately, many of the TPD measures are disproportionate and are unlikely to meet these goals. They will more likely lead to a rise in profits for criminal gangs, who sell much cheaper, unregulated products.”
The European Parliament today voted approval of a package that requires large graphic warnings on cigarette and rolling tobacco packaging. It bans characterising flavours used in those products, including menthol. A priority list of tobacco additives will be subject to further research on their potential harmfulness. The directive is expected to go before the Council of Ministers on 14 March. It will enter into force after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Entry into force should occur in April or May. Member states will have two years from that date, in some cases longer, to adopt national laws to enforce the directive.
“As the TPD approaches Council adoption, we expect diligence to be taken in allowing realistic transition periods for member states and the industry. Due to the complexity of the numerous measures, tobacco companies, packaging manufacturers, machinery suppliers, wholesalers and retailers must imperatively be given sufficient time to comply with the directive,” said CECCM’s Reerink.