News and information
This section features the latest news and updates from Tobacco Europe, including our recent activities, policy engagement, events, and contributions to discussions on tobacco and nicotine regulation across Europe.
Categories
Topics
On the industry:
Myths or reality
Myth
The industry does not play by the rules
Tobacco Europe companies comply with all laws and regulations governing our products and industry, including the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control. Should you wish to learn more about article 5.3, please click here.
Tobacco Europe and its members are legitimate, transparent and accountable stakeholders in European regulatory debates – in the same way other companies and stakeholders are. Tobacco Europe believes that the tobacco industry is an integral partner of the EU institutions when it comes to tobacco-related legislation in the EU.
Tobacco Europe and its members are legitimate, transparent and accountable stakeholders in European regulatory debates – in the same way other companies and stakeholders are. Tobacco Europe believes that the tobacco industry is an integral partner of the EU institutions when it comes to tobacco-related legislation in the EU.
Reality
New products are less harmful than combustibles
The question of whether new nicotine products are less harmful than conventional products is a
complex and debated topic. Many experts agree that certain alternative nicotine delivery systems, like
e-cigarettes, have the potential to be less harmful than traditional combustible tobacco products, and
this is due to the fact that they don’t involve the combustion of tobacco: Most of the harm from
smoking is from the tar and carbon monoxide which are not found in NNPs. Nicotine from NNPs is
delivered much more slowly and at lower levels than from smoking.
complex and debated topic. Many experts agree that certain alternative nicotine delivery systems, like
e-cigarettes, have the potential to be less harmful than traditional combustible tobacco products, and
this is due to the fact that they don’t involve the combustion of tobacco: Most of the harm from
smoking is from the tar and carbon monoxide which are not found in NNPs. Nicotine from NNPs is
delivered much more slowly and at lower levels than from smoking.
Myth
The industry targets young people and minors
There are concerns about the increasing use of new nicotine products, particularly among youth. Nicotine, even without the combustion of tobacco, is an addictive substance, and the use of these products by young people raises concerns about addiction and potential long-term health effects.
Tobacco Europe, and the companies it represents, strongly believe that children and minors should not smoke and should not be able to obtain tobacco products. As such, they apply to new nicotine products the same principles that exist for combustibles: Tobacco Europe companies do not market or sell their products to minors, they actively work to support retailers to enforce these principles and support regulatory measures that effectively block minors’ ability to obtain cigarettes and nicotine products.
Tobacco Europe, and the companies it represents, strongly believe that children and minors should not smoke and should not be able to obtain tobacco products. As such, they apply to new nicotine products the same principles that exist for combustibles: Tobacco Europe companies do not market or sell their products to minors, they actively work to support retailers to enforce these principles and support regulatory measures that effectively block minors’ ability to obtain cigarettes and nicotine products.
Reality
Nicotine is addictive
Yes, nicotine is known to be addictive. Nicotine addiction is a complex process that involves the brain's reward system. When nicotine is inhaled or absorbed into the bloodstream, it stimulates the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, which is associated with pleasure and reward.
Nicotine is not risk free as it is addictive, but it is not toxic at the levels found in legal tobacco and nicotine products, which is why the sale of any nicotine product should be age restricted.
Almost all the harm from smoking comes from the thousands of other chemicals in tobacco smoke, many of which are toxic.Nicotine does not cause lung cancer. Scientific evidence shows that nicotine is not a carcinogen, and that nicotine exposure does not increase the risk of developing cancer.
Tobacco derived nicotine is an approved active ingredient in Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products, available with or without prescription around the world.
Repeated exposure to nicotine can lead to the development of tolerance, where individuals may need higher amounts of nicotine to experience the same effects. However, nicotine is not the sole harmful component of tobacco smoke.
Smoking is a major risk factor for various health issues, including heart disease, respiratory diseases, and various types of cancer.
New Nicotine Products (NNPs) do not involve combustion, therefore they represent a unique opportunity to reduce the harm related to the consumption of nicotine and contribute to the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan objectives by significantly reducing the harm from smoking and helping people quit smoking.
Nicotine is not risk free as it is addictive, but it is not toxic at the levels found in legal tobacco and nicotine products, which is why the sale of any nicotine product should be age restricted.
Almost all the harm from smoking comes from the thousands of other chemicals in tobacco smoke, many of which are toxic.Nicotine does not cause lung cancer. Scientific evidence shows that nicotine is not a carcinogen, and that nicotine exposure does not increase the risk of developing cancer.
Tobacco derived nicotine is an approved active ingredient in Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products, available with or without prescription around the world.
Repeated exposure to nicotine can lead to the development of tolerance, where individuals may need higher amounts of nicotine to experience the same effects. However, nicotine is not the sole harmful component of tobacco smoke.
Smoking is a major risk factor for various health issues, including heart disease, respiratory diseases, and various types of cancer.
New Nicotine Products (NNPs) do not involve combustion, therefore they represent a unique opportunity to reduce the harm related to the consumption of nicotine and contribute to the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan objectives by significantly reducing the harm from smoking and helping people quit smoking.
Myth
The industry condemns bans for commercial purposes only
Tobacco Europe believes bans are not an efficient measure to ensure products are enjoyed the right way by the right population at the right time. Bans usually generate illicit trade of products which rarely comply with regulations, and especially with youth access regulation. Such products can be dangerous for the consumers or can be sold to the wrong people. If products were regulated, sold by responsible companies and controlled by the authorities, illicit channels would be less lucrative and less present, and there would be fewer shares of the market for dangerous products.
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