Talks to reconcile differences in proposals on tobacco-product regulation in the European Union are progressing and may conclude this year, said a Brussels source close to the mediation.

Requesting anonymity, the source said he “personally” was optimistic negotiators from the European Parliament and Council would reach a compromise by the end of this year. Reconciliation talks are taking place under the aegis of the so called trilogue, with comprises representatives from the 766-seat Parliament, the Council representing EU countries and the European Commission administrative body, which submitted the draft proposal one year ago that started the process.
Regulation of previously unregulated e-cigarettes has received most of the media attention focused on the closed-door mediation. The Commission reportedly proposed banning refillable cartridges, e-cigarettes that taste like traditional cigarettes and product nicotine levels above 20 mg per ml. Initially the Commission proposed products with nicotine levels above 4mg per ml be regulated like medicines.
Last week mediation shifted from the trilogue to another EU organ, the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper), which is a body headed by the country holding the revolving presidency that can meet to address technical matters.
Coreper met last week to discuss technical issues, according to the source. Among those issues were technical aspects of e-cigarette cartridges, he said. “One or two steps have been made”, he said. Trilogue meetings are scheduled for 11 and 16 December, he said.
Once Parliament and Council agree, the Tobacco Products Directive will go before the legislative body for approval. Among the measures expected are a substantial increase in the size of graphic warnings on smoking tobacco products and abolishment of cigarette packs holding fewer than 20 sticks, a track & trace system for tobacco products and phasing out the sale of menthol cigarettes. Areas of divergence include whether to ban slim cigarettes and whether e-cigarettes should be regulated as a tobacco product or pharmaceutical.
Asked about the mediation, a spokesperson at the office of the EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy declined comment, citing the closed-door nature of the discussion.