The dream of a “smokefree Europe” is going up in smoke
EU policies are hindering a smokefree Europe by banning safer nicotine alternatives, which risks increasing smoking and black market sales.Summary
EU politicians claim they want a smokefree Europe, but their actions are making that goal impossible. The European Union is planning to ban flavored vapes and nicotine pouches, raise taxes, and impose heavy fines on these safer nicotine alternatives, despite evidence that they help smokers quit. This approach treats all nicotine consumption as equivalent, ignoring the fact that vaping and nicotine pouches are significantly less harmful than combustible cigarettes. The author argues that these policies are driven by ideology rather than science and will likely drive consumers back to smoking or the black market. The article cites examples from Central and Eastern Europe, where countries are also implementing restrictive policies that ignore the success of harm reduction strategies seen in Sweden and Russia. Ultimately, the author concludes that only a positive, forward-looking policy that provides a clear path to quitting can help achieve a smokefree Europe.
(Source：New Eastern Europe)
