EU-Wide Flavour Ban on the Horizon
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Could the EU ban different flavours of vape juice in an effort to tackle illegal vape imports and teen vaping? With suggestions for an EU-wide flavour ban now being brought into the public forum, it all seems set to end in disaster.
The mainstream media have been pushing the idea of a flavour ban on vape juices for some time now, but this is the first time it has been a serious threat. The proposals were set forth as part of the next round of the EU Tobacco Products Directive.
Flavour Impacts Smoking Cessation
It has been established through numerous studies that flavour has an impact on whether or not an ex-smoker successfully quits smoking by using a vape device. Think about it as if you were eating. Nobody wants to eat a flavour which they don’t like. If you get your e-liquid wrong, you might fail to stop smoking.
Several EU Countries Support Ban
There is a list of countries within the EU who all have tighter vaping regulations than others. These countries are pushing for an EU-wide ban which would see other countries forced to adopt tighter legislation surrounding vape device use. Other countries which may well have far more liberal views on vaping. If the proposals fail it will be due to the countries with a liberal stance.
The countries pushing for the ban include:
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Ireland
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Portugal
- Slovenia
- Spain
There are 26 member countries within the European Union. If put to a vote, there is a possibility that this proposal will become legislation in the future.
EU Council Contemplates Vape Flavour Ban
The ban will be discussed further before it gains any traction and may not gain traction at all. As with all laws, this will take time to garner support or vice versa. Motivations given for the ban include protecting children from vape devices and tobacco harm. These opinions fail to account for the harm reduction offered to smokers by vaping.
Should this ban come into place it will affect people across the European Union. Although this does not include Britain at the moment, we do have a history of adapting the same regulations as the EU in terms of vaping legislation.
The EU Council have said it has no plans to alter the regulations it currently has in place at this time. The next opportunity for discussion on the matter within the FCTC setting will take place in 2025.
