Flavored Capsule Cigarettes: A Trap for Young People

Flavored capsule cigarettes have been sold by tobacco companies for a relatively short time and aggressively. In 2019, in some countries, they are the main cigarettes consumed by young people. The case of Chile is an illustration. In 2008, these products were virtually unknown. 10 years later, according to sales data[1], Chile reports the greatest market penetration for these products in the world . According to a 2017 survey of smokers in the country funded by the American Cancer Society, 60% of those under 25 consume such products. This proportion reaches 72%[3] among women in this age group. A recent study, published in PLoS One, shows that the probability of consuming these products is linked to age but also to gender: the probability is significantly higher for women and is inversely linked to the age of the smoker, young people are more likely to smoke flavoured capsule cigarettes. In addition, these products are significantly more expensive than conventional cigarettes but the criterion of the smoker's economic status did not appear to be a determining factor. The increase in the consumption of these products, not only in Chile but also in other Latin American countries (in particular Guatemala, Mexico, Peru and Argentina) as well as their penetration in other regions of the world underlines the importance of banning flavours, particularly attractive flavours. This observation made in Chile is indeed similar to that established in France and other countries a few years ago. The development of capsule cigarettes was able to be countered by regulations relating to flavours (CNCT Study - Cigarette Marketing, the Need for Regulation). Thus, countries such as France and Belgium, which have implemented the European directive on tobacco products, have effectively combated this method of targeting young people. The ban on attractive flavours in cigarettes and rolling tobacco has been in force since May 2016. Canada also benefits from protective legislation at this level. On the other hand, regulation remains insufficient in many French-speaking African countries. ©Tobacco Free Generation

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[1] https://tobaccoatlas.org/country/chile/ [2] [2] Paraje, Guillermo et al. “The association between flavor capsule cigarette use and sociodemographic variables: Evidence from Chile.” PloS one flight. 14.10 e0224217. 23 Oct. 2019, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0224217 [3] Ibid | ©National Committee Against Smoking |