Member states back new EU tobacco rules Law will come into force in May.

The European Union’s member states today (14 March) gave final approval to a revision of rules on tobacco products that tighten the content and marketing of both cigarettes and electronic cigarettes.

The European Parliament had already given its approval in a vote last month so today’s decision by the Council of Ministers – given without discussion at a meeting of transport ministers – means the new law can enter into force in May. Member states will then have two years to bring their national legislation into line with the revised EU law. This means that most of the new rules will apply from early 2016.

Tonio Borg, the European commissioner for health, said: “By ensuring that tobacco products look and taste like tobacco products, the new rules will help to reduce the number of people who start smoking in the EU.”

The tobacco manufacturer Philip Morris countered that: “The new rules will do little to improve public health and will make the EU less competitive, pushing even more consumers to the unregulated black market in tobacco.”

The new legislation requires bigger health warnings on packets of cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco. All characterising flavours, such as menthol, will be prohibited as will the sale of packs with fewer than 20 cigarettes.

The most controversial update concerned electronic cigarettes. Under the revised law, it is up to member states to decide whether to regulate e-cigarettes as medicinal (if they help smokers to quit) or as tobacco products. If the latter is the case, they will be restricted to the same rules as normal cigarettes.

Member states can prohibit internet sales of tobacco and related products. The new legislation introduces an EU-wide tracking and tracing system to help authorities fight illegal trade.

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