Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission
19.1.2024
The Commission is currently running an evaluation of the Tobacco Products Directive 2014/40/EU[1], as indicated in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan[2].
Any possible future Commission proposal in this area will be prepared in compliance with the Better Regulation principles, ensuring that decisions are prepared in an open and transparent manner, informed by the best available evidence and with stakeholders’ involvement.
In parallel, the Commission is preparing a proposal for an update of the Council Recommendation on Smoke-Free Environments[3] to help Member States to better protect their citizens.
To prevent negative impacts from littered cigarette filters on the environment, the directive on Single-Use Plastics (SUP)[4] provides measures for tobacco products with filters and filters marketed for use in combination with tobacco products on marking requirements, awareness raising and extended producer responsibility.
At this point in time, the SUP Directive does not ban these filters from the market. A revision of the SUP Directive is planned for July 2027, which will include a reassessment of the list of SUP products.
- [1] https://health.ec.europa.eu/tobacco/evaluation-legislative-framework-tobacco-control_en
- [2] https://health.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-02/eu_cancer-plan_en_0.pdf
- [3] https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13333-Smoke-free-environments-updated-recommendation_en
- [4] Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, OJ L 155, 12.6.2019, p. 1-19.