Scientific basis for Commissioner Várhelyi’s statement that ‘new tobacco and nicotine products pose health risks comparable to traditional ones’

25.7.2025

Question for written answer  E-003099/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Charlie Weimers (ECR), Beatrice Timgren (ECR), Dick Erixon (ECR)

Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi, has written that ‘for the first time ever, we acknowledge that new tobacco and nicotine products pose health risks comparable to traditional ones’[1].

In the light of this statement, can the Commission clarify the following:

• 1.Which nicotine products does it consider ‘new’?
• 2.What studies or scientific data is this statement based on?
• 3.Is this the official position of the Commission or is it the Commissioner’s personal opinion?

Submitted: 25.7.2025

• [1] https://x.com/OliverVarhelyi/status/1945549946192577022.