1. German E-Cigarette Association Rejects Menthol Ban on E-Cigarettesse Vehicles Cancelled
Since the spring of 2024, BMEL has been reviewing the menthol ban on e-cigarettes. According to TabakerzG Section 13(2), implementing such a ban requires proving foreseeable health risks from using menthol in liquids.
VdeH emphasizes that scientific and legal requirements for the menthol ban are insufficient. Using menthol in e-cigarettes poses no proven health risks to humans that justify a ban. Below are the details:
a. Menthol in E-Liquids Poses No Health Risks
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirms a safe daily intake of menthol in 2019 at 4 mg per kilogram of body weight. For a 70 kg adult, this equates to a safe daily intake of 280 mg of menthol. Even with lifelong use, this dose is considered harmless. Comparatively, consuming menthol is equivalent to approximately 15 lozenges or mint gum, posing no health risks to consumers.
b. Menthol Does Not Facilitate Inhalation or Increase Nicotine Absorption
Unlike smoking, vaping e-cigarettes do not produce combustion products that irritate the respiratory tract or cause coughing, which might necessitate masking agents. In 2015, BfR assessed menthol’s potential to facilitate inhalation in e-cigarettes and found it to be very low.
Clinical studies show no evidence that menthol increases nicotine absorption. Conversely, Professor Mayer’s report from the University of Graz concludes that using menthol can reduce the required nicotine concentration in liquids.
c. Menthol Ban: Detrimental Policy for Manufacturers, Retailers, and Consumers in Germany
No EU member state has enacted specific bans on menthol in e-cigarettes. In most EU countries, e-cigarette liquid flavors are unrestricted.
This singular approach will severely impact manufacturers, retailers, and consumers in Germany. Up to 80% of e-cigarette liquids may lose market availability and legality.
2. UK Sees Sharp Increase in High-Nicotine E-Cigarette Users
Many smokers cite high-nicotine e-cigarettes as pivotal to quitting smoking. Meanwhile, the UK is considering higher taxes on high-nicotine e-cigarette products.
A recent study by University College London (UCL) published in the Addiction Journal surveyed 7,314 adults in England using e-cigarettes from July 2016 to January 2024, revealing a significant increase in users consuming nicotine levels reaching or exceeding the UK’s legal limit of 20 mg/ml.
3. UK Government Backs E-Cigarettes
Following the election, the Labour Party formed a new government, appointing a minister expected to influence e-cigarette policies. Chief Scientific Advisor Angela McClain remains in the government, and Labour plans to support the Conservative Tobacco and E-Cigarettes Act from the previous parliament.
Tobacco and E-Cigarettes Act Plans:
- Restricting e-cigarette flavors to menthol, mentholated, tobacco, and “fruit.”
- Limiting packaging design and labeling.
- Regulating e-cigarette displays in stores.
- Banning free samples for under-18s.
- Government commitment to banning disposable e-cigarettes.
- Labour has yet to comment on proposed taxes on e-cigarette products.
4. New Zealand: Oral Tobacco as Part of Tobacco Harm Reduction Strategy
The Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) strongly encourages the New Zealand government to legalize nasal snuff and oral tobacco as part of its tobacco harm reduction strategy.
The organization highlights the effectiveness of these products in significantly lowering smoking rates in Scandinavian countries, particularly Sweden and Norway, where smoking rates are currently among the lowest in Europe.
These products provide smokers with a less harmful alternative to cigarettes and could greatly expedite New Zealand’s goal of becoming smoke-free.
Clear evidence from Sweden and Norway shows that nasal snuff and nicotine pouches can markedly reduce smoking rates without increasing use among teenagers. CAPHRA urges the government to base policy decisions on evidence rather than unfounded fears.
Legalizing and appropriately regulating oral tobacco products would offer more quitting options for New Zealand smokers, potentially saving thousands of lives.
CAPHRA calls on Minister Kostelo and the government to promote the legalization of nasal snuff and oral tobacco while implementing proper regulations to prevent youth access and ensure product quality and safety.
Sweden: Significant Decrease in Smoking Rates: Sweden has seen a significant decline in smoking rates over the past few decades. In the 1960s, nearly half of Swedish men smoked. By 2022, only 5.6% of Swedish adults smoke, largely due to the widespread use of nasal snuff and more recently, oral tobacco.
Norway: Youth Smoking Rates: Norway has also experienced a substantial decrease in smoking rates, especially among young people. In 2021, only 1% of 16-24-year-olds in Norway smoked daily, demonstrating the effectiveness of alternative nicotine products like nasal snuff in reducing youth smoking rates.
The Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) is a regional alliance of consumer advocates for reducing tobacco harm. Its mission is to educate, advocate for, and represent adult consumers of alternative nicotine products that reduce tobacco harm.
CAPHRA states it will continue to uphold the rights of consumers in the Asia Pacific region to access and use evidence-based, regulated, responsibly marketed harm-reduction products to mitigate the destructive impact of smoking-related diseases.
“We encourage further research, open dialogue, and collaboration with governments, health organizations, and stakeholders to ensure the best outcomes for public health.”
5. Poland: Government Yet to Decide on Ban of Disposable E-cigarettes
A different approach has emerged on the government website 123rf instead of a ban, restricting the sale of disposable e-cigarettes… Last year, over 100 million “disposable products” were sold.
In February this year, the Ministry of Health announced a comprehensive ban on sales before summer. However, there is no ban, and the Ministry of Health has only raised the legal age for purchasing these sweetened stimulants.
The Health Minister said: “We hope to completely ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes from autumn onwards, an important ban, as the government intends to implement EU directives banning flavored (mainly menthol) tobacco heating inserts.”
Over 90% of the disposable e-cigarettes we sell are flavored with fruit, beverages, or sweets. Most contain nicotine. Almost all of them come from China, where such e-cigarettes are banned due to their potential appeal to children.
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