Answer given by Mr Andriukaitis on behalf of the European Commission
23.11.2018
The Commission takes note of the figures from the Spanish National Committee for Preventing Tobacco Addiction presented by the Honourable Member.
The Tobacco Products Directive[1] lays down rules for tobacco and related products placed on the EU market. Article 20 of the directive introduces a regulatory framework for electronic cigarettes with a focus on safety, quality, consumer protection and information as well as data collection[2].
The directive does not however harmonise all aspects of electronic cigarettes or refill containers (e.g. rules on flavours and nicotine-free refill liquids are of national competence).
The Commission continuously monitors developments related to e-cigarettes, including emerging scientific evidence. This information will contribute to the implementation report on the Tobacco Products Directive that the Commission is required to submit in 2021, in line with Article 28(1) of the directive.
The Commission facilitates information exchanges and best practices, assessment of data and is working with Member States for example in the Expert Group on Tobacco Policy, Subgroup on Electronic Cigarettes and in the context of a Joint Action on Tobacco Control.
The Commission does not currently undertake educational awareness-raising campaigns and does not foresee activity in this area.
- [1] Directive 2014/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco and related products and repealing Directive 2001/37/EC (OJ L 127, 29.4.2014, p.1).
- [2] Further detail on specifics of Article 20: It provides for a maximum limit of nicotine concentration (20 mg/ml), use of ingredients of high purity not posing a risk to human health in heated or unheated form and prohibition of certain additives in the nicotine containing liquid. Tanks and cartridges are limited to 2ml. Refill containers are limited to 10ml. Further, refill containers and electronic cigarettes must be child-resistant and tamper-proof, and they must be sold with instructions for their use and with health warnings.