Changes to the Tobacco Products Directive are a Draw for the Industry and Regulators

The European Union Trilogue, which consists of the Parliament, Council and Commission, recently agreed on a  final proposed draft of the revised Tobacco Products Directive with several key changes. Notably, all packs will carry a 65% graphic health warning, all flavouring, including menthol,  will be banned, e-cigarettes will be regulated more as tobacco products than as medicines and there will be no ban on slim cigarettes. The text must be finally approved by the EU Parliament and Council before it becomes law. Shane MacGuill, Tobacco Research Analyst states that the law is set to be a draw between tobacco companies and regulators. Although the tobacco market in the EU can’t afford any more restrictions, the failure to ban slim cigarettes is good news for the industry.

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