A generation without e-cigarettes in the Netherlands
June 26, 2020
Par: chef-projet@dnf.asso.fr
Dernière mise à jour: June 26, 2020
Temps de lecture: 3 minutes
In order to move towards a tobacco-free generation, the Netherlands wants to go one step further. Convinced that a tobacco-free generation will only be possible if it is also without e-cigarettes, the Netherlands is considering extending its tobacco control legislation to e-cigarettes and more specifically to flavoured tobacco products for e-cigarettes.
New legislation to better regulate tobacco products
The Dutch government is set to expand existing legislation regulating tobacco products to include e-cigarettes as of July 1, 2020. A forthcoming bill is expected to completely ban flavored tobacco products for e-cigarettes in spring 2021.
These measures will also apply to the IQOS, a model of electronic cigarette that heats tobacco. In concrete terms, heated tobacco products will soon be subject to the same rules prohibiting advertising and sales to minors as cigarettes currently are.
Protecting the health of the new generation
If the Netherlands is so interested in electronic cigarettes and has decided today to restrict their marketing, it is above all to protect the youngest, who are now very attracted to this new tobacco product, and to make smoking less attractive. A study conducted by the Trimbos drug addiction clinic estimates that 27% of young people aged 12 to 16 and 44% of students in higher education have already smoked an electronic cigarette. The attractive flavours and their relatively affordable cost are incentives for these young consumers. The future legislation aims to make these new tobacco products less attractive, to reveal all the dangers they pose for young people and thus to tarnish the positive image that cigarettes enjoy. From the next school year, smoking will be banned in playgrounds and rolling cigarettes will be sold exclusively in plain packaging.
Flavored tobacco products for e-cigarettes will remain on the market as the “last resort” for heavy smokers to quit smoking.
The Netherlands is hoping to see a new generation of Dutch people without tobacco. The Minister of Health and all anti-smoking associations want these provisions to be harmonised at European level to strengthen the fight against tobacco.
