European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy John Dalli said he will propose changes next year to the Tobacco Products Directive.
The changes may tighten EU restrictions on labelling, flavouring and smokeless products.
In the text of a speech delivered in Brussels 12 July, Dalli said he is looking at ways to “improve the rules on health warnings and packaging so that people get accurate, effective information.”
Regulation of tobacco additives that appeal to young smokers, including vanilla, strawberry and sweets and curbing access to tobacco products by minors is possible, he said. Smokeless electronic cigarettes, “and a number of products that have mushroomed in the market,” also will receive scrutiny, he said.
“I am convinced that such measures can help make tobacco products less attractive – and will help deter young people from taking up smoking,” he said.
Dalli promised to work with the European Parliament, which has pushed for additional revision of the directive first adopted in 2001. (pi)