Around 370m Europeans will be called to the polls in June to elect the 720 members of the next European Parliament. The outcome – which is still unpredictable – could impact the future of alternatives and reshape the narrative around harm-reduction strategies, mainly focusing on vaping, heated tobacco products, nicotine pouches and other safer alternatives to smoking.
Depending on the composition of the European Parliament and other relevant bodies, there may be changes in priorities, alliances and policy approaches. Overall, discussions on novel nicotine products are likely to be multifaceted, reflecting a range of perspectives from public health advocates, industry stakeholders, policy-makers and the public.
Nevertheless, there is a chance a milder outlook on alternatives to traditional cigarettes will emerge, with right-wing/centrist groups such as the European People’s Party Group (EPP), European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR), and Identity and Democracy Group (ID) polling well. These groups are less likely to support strict regulation, which would – at the very least – maintain the status quo at a significant time for non-smoking nicotine products, as both the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) and Tobacco Excise Directive (TED) will be revised.
New regulations needed
Sergio Berlato (pictured), an Italian member of the European Parliament (MEP) within the ECR, is optimistic that the new parliamentary term is likely to take a more pragmatic approach than the previous one, with more members open to acknowledging a positive role for alternatives to smoking for harm reduction and the adoption of less limiting regulations on these products.
“New regulations specifically targeting novel nicotine products to facilitate consumers to access them are needed,” Berlato told ECigIntelligence. “Results cannot be achieved through prohibitions. It is essential to guarantee correct information to consumers – especially to young people – to avoid the abuse of tobacco. More investments in alternative products could help reduce the abuse of tobacco products and protect the right to health and the ecosystem, which are the objectives to be pursued.”
Concerns about youth initiation and the use of novel nicotine products may also feature prominently in discussions, particularly referring to measures to prevent under-age access and curb youth use – such as flavour bans and marketing restrictions. In this regard, Berlato said if the goal is avoiding the abuse of such products, everything that can lead to addiction must be regulated – including flavours. “This does not mean banning flavours, but it would be necessary to see them regulated somehow,” he said, emphasising the importance of adult smokers having access to less-harmful alternatives.
Trade implications
Discussions about novel nicotine products in the EU may also consider international trends and developments. This could include comparisons with regulations and policies in other countries, as well as discussions about trade implications.
In this regard, Berlato underlined the need for the same procedures and constraints to which European producers are subjected to also be imposed on those who export their products to Europe from other non-European countries, otherwise, unfair competition will occur.