Coming soon: an EU Vaping Products Directive?
T
he European Commission has
officially registered a European
Citizens’ Initiative which calls for
Article 20 of the EU Tobacco Products
Directive (TPD) to be replaced by
“bespoke legislation which clearly
sets vaping products apart from
tobacco and pharmaceutical
products”.
The initiative “Let’s demand smarter vaping regula-
tion!” was submitted by Dustin Dalhlmann of the
European Vape Alliance (IEVA) and Mosè Gia-
comello of Vapitaly. It also calls on the EU authori-
ties to set up new legislation based on “mandatory
compliance”, including safety and manufacturing
standards for e-cigarette devices and e-liquids.
Giacomello told ECigIntelligence they are propos-
ing to the European Commission the creation of a
Vaping Products Directive (VPD).
“It would be based on scientific evidence and fo-
cused primarily on the role of vaping in tobacco
harm reduction,” he said. “The VPD should be sepa-
rate from the TPD, not part of it.”
The initiative also calls for a new approach to vap-
ing policy that should make it possible for vapers to
have clear information on how to access tobacco-al-
ternative products such as e-cigarettes, as well as
ensuring youth protection with “responsible mar-
keting practices”.
The initiative needs to collect more than 1m signa-
tures in less than a year from at least a quarter of
EU member states in order for the European Com-
mission to propose a change in the existing regula-
tions.
The next step for the committee behind the initia-
tive is to start lobbying in Brussels and at national
level involving MEPs (members of the European
Parliament) and national deputies. They will also
attempt to collect signatures at vaping exhibitions
and trade shows.
The members are also seeking the support of vap-
ing associations in EU member states. For now, the
Italian vapers’ associations ANPVU and the Lega
Italiana Anti Fumo (LIAF) have joined the initiative
and it is expected more may join soon.
One of the requirements to present a European Cit-
izens’ Initiative is to have funding of more than
€500 in support. In this instance, Imperial Brands
has sponsored the initiative with €10,000.
Supporters of the initiative to free vaping from the
TPD and replace it with a VPD now face a real chal-
lenge to get 1m signatures in order that officials in
Brussels at least study their demands.
But this seems an appropriate time to put such a
plan forward, since the European Commission is
currently at the assessment stage of reviewing the
current version of the TPD.
At the same time, the forthcoming European elec-
tions in May, and the imminent departure from the
EU of the UK – arguably the most vape-friendly
country in Europe – could adversely affect the level
of political engagement and support. The last word
will be with the next EU commissioners.
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