Yesterday, the Spanish government announced a ban on tobacco-derived products, including the famous flavors for e-cigarettes which appeal to young people. This measure should come into force soon. Explanations.
The Spanish Minister of Health made an announcement this Tuesday, January 16: tobacco products will soon be banned. Among these derivative products: the famous aromas of e-cigarettes! The decree should be put in place within 3 months of its publication.
Flavorings of tobacco-derived products are now prohibited
At the end of the government meeting on Tuesday, January 16, the Minister of Health, Mónica García, shared on X the decisions taken regarding tobacco products. She announces that: “The flavors of tobacco-derived products (filters, cigarette paper, capsules, etc.) are now prohibited”. Likewise, e-cigarettes are subject to “with the same regulation as conventional tobacco”.
Result: aromas are preparing to disappear not only from tobacco packets and e-liquids in Spain. These flavors appeal to the youngest of whom they are the preferred targets with increasingly “adapted” formats. With this ban, the government intends to fight against smoking generally, but more particularly on the entry into smoking for the youngest.
We approve in the Council of Ministers:
– Heated tobacco will have the same regulation as conventional tobacco.
– Flavorings are prohibited in tobacco products (filters, papers, capsules, etc.).
We are also working on the Comprehensive Prevention and Control Plan of…
— Mónica García (@Monica_Garcia_G) January 16, 2024
Indeed, while it was presented as a solution to quit smoking a few years ago, the electronic cigarette has become a real tobacco substitute. It is therefore essential to take it into account in tobacco control policies.
A smoking rate above the world average
If Spain wishes to limit these products, it is because the country is worried about its smoking rate. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, almost 26% of Spanish adults are daily smokers. The WHO reports that this is a percentage well above the global average, estimated at 22.3%.
Although the rate of smokers is steadily decreasing, we must continue to fight against smoking by strengthening prevention measures. The Minister of Health recalls on X that the government of Pedro Sanchez is working on “a comprehensive tobacco prevention and control plan to advance the regulation of e-cigarettes, smoke-free spaces and other aspects”. The goal is to “prevent drug addiction and protect public health“.
Vaping: a cigarette that remains dangerous for your health
Compared to traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes tend to worry the population less. In fact, they do not release tar or carbon monoxide. As a reminder, these two substances are the most dangerous in the composition of tobacco, and are responsible for cardiovascular diseases and cancers.
However, the WHO specifies that electronic cigarettes still remain a dangerous product because they contain nicotine, a toxic and very addictive substance. In addition, the composition of the famous aromas has many times been criticized, even suspected of being harmful.