Alternative tobacco and nicotine products in Europe

Switzerland: Following the adoption of the people’s initiative “Children without Tobacco”, which calls for a ban on tobacco and vaping advertising aimed at children and adolescents, the Federal Office of Public Health has presented a fact sheet revealing that the advertising ban set down in the Tobacco Products Act is to be extended to all print media and points-of-sale. Online advertising will remain legal as long as an age-verification system is in place. The initiative is expected to be implemented in 2026.

Czech Republic: The Ministry of Finance has published a bill which would introduce a tax of CZK3.45 (€0.15) per g on nicotine pouches from January 2024, and increase the tax on heated tobacco to CZK3,300 (€140) per kg, with further rises to follow.

Switzerland: The National Council Committee for Economic Affairs and Taxation has submitted a motion calling on the Federal Council to draft a report on the taxation of tobacco products and e-cigarettes. It says the report should address issues such as the categorisation of new products, the impact of taxes on the black market, and tax adjustments based on average market prices. Earlier this year, during a debate on amending the Tobacco Tax Act, the Committee for Social Security and Health called for tax to be extended to all tobacco and related products.

Belgium: British American Tobacco (BAT) is to take a challenge to Belgium’s highest administrative court, the Council of State, against the royal decree banning nicotine pouches, press reports. BAT will argue that health minister Frank Vandenbroucke did not wait for an opinion from the Superior Health Council and did not take into account recent scientific research on the subject before announcing the ban, which is due to come into effect on 1st October.

Lithuania: The Seimas (parliament) has approved the government’s 12-year agenda on drug, tobacco and alcohol control, which aims to reduce supply and consumption, media reports. The document recommends that controls should be prepared and implemented at municipal level.

Ukraine: Bill 9315, prohibiting the sale of tobacco products, including heated and chewing tobacco, in duty-free shops, has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada (parliament). If adopted, it will come into force on the first day of the month following its publication and remain in force as a temporary measure until the end of martial law or the state of emergency.

Czech Republic: The Ministry of Health has told TobaccoIntelligence that the ministerial decree on nicotine pouches, setting a limit of 12 mg of nicotine per pouch and regulating labelling and notification, has gone through the EU’s TRIS notification process without comment and is expected to come into force on 1st July. From that date, tobacco-free nicotine pouches must be notified to the Czech Republic via the EU Common Entry Gate (EU-CEG).