Reduction of tobacco sales outlets in the Netherlands

On 3 March 2020, a majority in the Dutch parliament voted to end the sale of tobacco in supermarkets and petrol stations. All political parties, except the three right-wing liberal parties, supported a motion calling on the government to require supermarkets and petrol stations to voluntarily stop selling tobacco products. If they do not agree to this by 2022, they will be legally required to do so by that date. Reducing the number of tobacco outlets is one of the main changes that health organisations in the Netherlands, particularly the Youth Smoking Prevention Foundation, have advocated. Making tobacco products more expensive and harder to access is the most effective way to discourage young people from starting to smoke. Estimates of the number of tobacco outlets in the Netherlands vary from 30,000 to 60,000. The 6,300 supermarkets sell 50% of all tobacco in the Netherlands, generating an annual turnover of €2.1 billion (6.2% of total turnover). The Netherlands also has more than 2,000 petrol stations that sell tobacco. These sales account for 60% to 75% of the retail turnover, excluding petrol, in these stores. Supermarkets and petrol stations are places where young people can easily obtain tobacco. Recent figures from the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority revealed that 65% petrol stations and 27% supermarkets were not complying with age restrictions for the sale of tobacco.[1]. This is an important reason to restrict the number of points of sale, preferably through a licensing system, to specialized points of sale that only sell tobacco. In 2018, 65% of the population were of the opinion that the sale of tobacco should be limited to designated tobacco shops. This provision is part of an overall strategy to reduce consumption by "denormalizing" products. The aim is thus to "de-trivialize" their consumption. Measures limiting access to products, especially for young people, are part of this, as is the national prevention agreement including tax increases, the removal of cigarette packet displays, the introduction of plain packaging in 2020 and the removal of vending machines from 2022.©Tobacco Free Generation

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[1] Hefler M, Baker J Worldwide news and comment Tobacco Control 2020;29:247-249.©National Committee Against Smoking |