What is it about?
The regulation of e-cigarettes in Finland is stricter than in other EU countries, including a ban on characterizing flavours in e-cigarette liquids and on marketing of e-cigarettes. However, enforcing the ban has been complicated resulting in flavours being sold allegedly for foodstuffs and in disputes and multiple court cases filed by the e-cigarette industry. Marketing is allegedly for corporate image not for products.
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Why is it important?
Reluctance of the e-cigarette industry to comply with the regulations, prolonged court cases and limited tobacco control resources limit the enforcement of the Tobacco Act provisions. The EU’s Tobacco Products Directive should be reassessed as regards ensuring safety of e-cigarette products and policies on flavours, and tobacco control resources at all levels of governance should match the tasks assigned to it.
Perspectives
New tobacco and nicotine products will be emerging and the resources to assess their safety and health effects as well as their regulation will demand attention to adequate attention and resources on research, regulation and public education.
Eeva Ollila
Cancer Society of Finland
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: See you in court: obstacles to enforcing the ban on electronic cigarette flavours and marketing in Finland, Tobacco Control, October 2019, BMJ, DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2019-055260.
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