Secretary General Nathalie Darge on stage: “We need to inform about the different risks associated with different products. From the Commission, we expect more involvement”
"We expect a TPD3 proposal by the end of the year, but more stakeholder involvement is needed”. That was, in a nutshell, the main message conveyed by Nathalie Darge, Secretary General at Tobacco Europe, on Wednesday 15 September at InterTabac, NUBIZ and InterSupply in Dortmund, Germany, one of the main international tobacco and nicotine products trade fairs. The fair comes as EU institutions are revising the Tobacco Regulatory framework, from marketing to excises, with a new Tobacco Products and Tobacco Advertising Directive draft proposal expected by the European Commission by the end of 2026.
In this context, the panel “Where Does It All End Up? Can Europe Maintain a Coherent Tobacco & Nicotine Market?” was instrumental in understanding the importance of legal certainty supported by scientific evidence. “In the EU regulations there will always be a trade-off between Member States’ flexibility in implementing rules and the need for a harmonised approach that brings clarity to businesses on legal requirements” Nathalie Darge explained “this ‘tension’ is even more evident in the rapidly evolving tobacco and nicotine products sector. In view of the new regulatory framework, it is important we continue informing about the different levels of risks associated with products such as cigarettes, vapes, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products. Unfortunately, on this point we continue to witness superficial messages in the public debate, especially from public institutions. We firmly believe that by placing all the products in the same basket we will not achieve the objective of reducing smoking prevalence among Europeans”.
On stage, Darge illustrated step by step the next phases of the TPD review, from the ongoing interservice consultation to the publication of the first draft, expected by the European Commission at the end of 2026. The draft will be followed by a period of stakeholder feedback, a critical moment to express our opinion on the text. After that, negotiations with Parliament and Council will begin and continue for approximately 18 to 24 months.
We call on the European Commission to hear our voice and to invite us to targeted interviews. The framework that will regulate our sector cannot be drafted without engaging with the actors that hold the latest available data and evidence.
We will continue working for a proportionate, evidence-based directive.
What is InterTabac
From 15 to 17 September 2026, Dortmund once again became the meeting point for the international tobacco and NGP industry. As the world’s leading trade fair, InterTabac, NUBIZ and InterSupply brings together around 750 exhibitors from around the world, connecting manufacturers and distributors with international top decision-makers. More than 80 percent of the exhibiting companies come from abroad. Last year the trade shows were attended by 14.500 visitors – half of whom were international.
About
Tobacco Europe is a non-commercial association which was formed to represent the common views of major European–based tobacco & nicotine products manufacturers. Our three Full Members are British American Tobacco, JT International & Imperial Brands.
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2 April 2026
The European Commission's evaluation of EU tobacco and nicotine legislation fails to meet Better Regulation standards and risks producing a regulatory framework that harms public health, EU competitiveness and public security, according to the European tobacco sector’s umbrella body.
Tobacco Europe, which represents three of the largest tobacco and nicotine manufacturers in the EU, said the report published today contains significant gaps in its treatment of real-world evidence and independent science, assessment of socioeconomic impacts and engagement with stakeholders.
The evaluation follows a review which took more than three years and is expected to inform the upcoming revision of the Tobacco Products Directive. Its conclusions will have far-reaching consequences for the more than 100 million European adult nicotine consumers, 1.4 million people employed across the EU tobacco and nicotine value chain, and for the more than €107 billion in annual tax revenues generated across the bloc.
"This evaluation was an opportunity to take an honest, evidence-based look at what is working and what is falling short in EU tobacco regulation. Despite taking more than three years, this opportunity has been completely missed," said Nathalie Darge, Secretary General of Tobacco Europe.
"The report fails to recognise the real-world progress made in reducing smoking rates in Sweden, Czechia and Greece, and the large and growing body of independent science demonstrating that smokeless nicotine products are reducing harm and offer alternatives to adult consumers, while overlooking the contribution of SMEs and the wider supply chain to the EU economy.
At the same time, in 2024 illegal tobacco costs EU governments €14.9 billion in lost revenue, in addition to lost tax receipts from vapour and other smokeless products, and threatens the blocs security. As highlighted by the Commission’s Regulatory Scrutiny Board comments in the Report, the significant enforcement challenges being faced by customs, border, police and health authorities in Member States have been overlooked.
"There is a direct link between extreme regulation and taxation and the size of illegal markets," Darge said. "Where Member States have imposed extreme regulation and bans, as in Belgium and the Netherlands, the government has lost control to criminal gangs and irresponsible retailers, who don’t care about consumer safeguards or age checks, and profit at the expense of taxpayers."
Tobacco Europe also questioned the inclusiveness of the evaluation process. During the Commission's 2023 public consultation, 77% of 24,000 respondents agreed that smokeless products help adults move away from cigarettes. Tobacco Europe says this consensus, along with its own detailed submissions throughout the process, is not meaningfully reflected in the final report.
"We are committed to constructive engagement in the legislative process ahead," Darge said. "A proportionate regulatory framework that differentiates between products based on their risk profile can protect minors, support adult smokers who want to choose alternative products, safeguard jobs and tax revenue and keep the market in the hands of regulators rather than criminals. That is the approach the evidence supports, and it is what we will continue to advocate for."
ENDS
About Tobacco Europe
Tobacco Europe is the European association representing three of Europe’s largest producers of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, tobacco heated products and modern oral products. The Association’s aim is to put forward the industry’s common views on regulation and policy and promote scientific and evidence-based policies that respect the choice of consumers.
Contact details
Nathalie Darge, Secretary General
info@tobacco-europe.eu
Tobacco Europe is thrilled to invite you to our hybrid session “Eyes on Brussels”* at EVO NXT on Friday 4 April between 12:00 and 12:30.
Our association represents the leading tobacco and nicotine products manufacturers within the EU. During this interactive session, we will provide an update on the latest key policy developments in Brussels and across the EU, and their impact on the tobacco and nicotine industry.
Our presentation will tackle the most relevant regulatory discussions. Join us to learn how the latest updates from Brussels and the wider European landscape may influence our industry and engage in a discussion on what’s next for stakeholders.
Tobacco Europe is thrilled to be part of this edition of Evo Nxt, an insightful innovative business fair, during which the major industry associations will provide visitors with the latest insights. Listen to representatives from the Independent European Vape Alliance (IEVA), the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), the Alliance for Tobacco-Free Enjoyment (BfTG), the German Tobacco and Novel Products Association (BVTE), the European Confederation of Tobacco Retailers (C. E.D.T.), the Nordic Nicotine Pouches Alliance (NNPA.EU), the European Cannabis Association (ECA) and the Electronic Cigarette Professional Committee of the China Electronics Chamber of Commerce (ECCC).
>>> The entire EVO NXT programme is available here.
>>> Tickets for EVO NXT are available in the online shop.
* The Eyes on Brussels is a live platform for information that exists for 2 years now.
Once a month, on a Friday and from 12:00 to 12:30, Tobacco Europe convenes a 30 minute live online session to provide participants with the latest updates on policies and regulations impacting the industry at the EU level.
Typically, we cover topics such as the revisions of the Tobacco Products Directive and the Tobacco Excise Directive, but also impacting milestones such as COP and MOP, which are directly related to our industry.
Brussels, December 3rd, 2024
Today, the EPSCO Council adopted the Smoke and Aerosols Free Environments Recommendation.
Tobacco Europe regrets the Council's decision to include emerging products within the scope of this Recommendation. This inclusion, in our view, lacks a solid scientific foundation and fails to account for the specificities of these products.
Moreover, we find the extension of restrictions to open and semi-open spaces, such as hospitality terraces, to be disproportionate and unsupported by evidence of public harm.
It is important to remember that this Recommendation remains non-binding for Member States, allowing each to determine the measures best suited to their national contexts.
We encourage policymakers to continue engaging in a balanced dialogue and to base their decisions on thorough scientific analysis and proportionality.
