Tobacco Law Amendment Under Review: This Is What Should Be Prohibited

This is accompanied by stricter regulations for nicotine pouches and e-liquids, as well as a ban on the disposal of tobacco products and similar items in playgrounds. According to the government's plans, the amendment is to come into force in July next year, with the ban on disposable e-cigarettes by the end of 2026.

The review period is scheduled for six weeks. In the draft, the ban on disposable e-cigarettes goes beyond the government program, as Health State Secretary Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig (SPÖ) emphasized. One of the reasons given was that disposable e-cigarettes are increasingly being consumed by young people. According to the ESPAD 2024 student survey on consumption behavior regarding alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, 28 percent of 15-year-olds regularly use e-cigarettes, many of them disposable models. These products are cheap, colorful, come with sweet flavors like cola or mango, and are aggressively marketed on social media. At the same time, age checks are often lacking, especially in online sales.

Environmental Problem of Disposable E-Cigarettes

Additionally, there is a "massive environmental problem": The devices contain built-in lithium batteries and are often disposed of improperly, which can lead to dangerous spontaneous fires in waste facilities and is associated with enormous plastic waste. "Disposable e-cigarettes are not a harmless lifestyle product. Many of these devices contain toxic substances such as heavy metals, high-dose nicotine salts, and therefore become addictive faster than conventional tobacco products. Young people, in particular, underestimate the risks," emphasized Königsberger-Ludwig.

For nicotine pouches ("Pouches") and e-liquids, the Ministry of Health envisions that the tobacco monopoly will apply in the future, with the same rules as for classic cigarettes: sales only in tobacconists, advertising ban, and tax-compliant recording. In addition to prevention and youth protection, the state will also gain up to 500 million euros more in tax revenue by 2029. For existing advertising contracts, the amendment provides for a transition period until February 2028 at the latest.

No More Advertising for Nicotine Pouches and E-Liquids

Königsberger-Ludwig pointed out that these products have so far been a gateway for aggressive marketing strategies, such as through social media or free product samples. From 2028, however, the rule will be: no advertising, no sponsorship, no online shipping. The increased tax revenues were described by the State Secretary as "financial fairness" because the products would be fully integrated into the existing tobacco taxation. The additional revenues would be earmarked for health prevention and educational work. "Nicotine pouches are not a lifestyle product, but highly dosed addictive substances," said the Health State Secretary.

In public playgrounds, the disposal of tobacco products and related items will be prohibited in the future. Municipalities should also have the option to implement additional protective measures, such as a complete smoking ban in playgrounds.

Criticism from the Greens and NGOs

Ralph Schallmeiner, health spokesperson for the Greens, reacted with incomprehension on Wednesday: "There is already a reviewed draft. There are numerous statements and proposals. Why they are starting from scratch again is apparently only known to the federal government," he said. "If Health State Secretary Königsberger-Ludwig herself emphasizes how dangerous disposable e-cigarettes are for young people and what a massive environmental problem they pose, then I wonder even more: Why are effective regulations now being delayed again with another review?" said Schallmeiner. He pointed out that in the draft by Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) in the previous government, a general smoking ban in playgrounds was already included.

Global 2000 also criticized that the planned measures should have come much earlier. "Disposable e-cigarettes are a prime example of how much damage a disposable product can cause in a short time - ecologically, health-wise, and socially. We are not talking about trivialities here: Ten disposable vapes contain enough lithium for a smartphone. If Austria waits another year, millions of these mini-batteries will end up in our waste instead of in household appliances or laptops," criticized Anna Leitner, spokesperson for resources and supply chains.

Addiction prevention disappointed

The Graz addiction prevention VIVID, which specializes in tobacco and nicotine, expressed disappointment. "The perspective of those who make money from tobacco and nicotine is given much consideration in the amendment (...). This weighting of perspectives is very disappointing. It will be easier for the industry to sell tobacco heaters in the future, as the current regulation - such as approval procedures - is being weakened," it said in a statement. "Very important elements" are missing in the amendment, "above all a regulation of ingredients and additives in nicotine pouches." The addiction prevention continued: "Nicotine needs a maximum limit, and characteristic flavors should be banned, as is already the case with cigarettes. Furthermore, warning labels are missing on packaging. Packaging can be important for those who want to quit nicotine if they have a number for cessation printed on them."

Basically, a regulation of nicotine itself is needed. "The industry is already working on new products and synthetically produced nicotine. If only a specific product is regulated - such as nicotine pouches - this law will soon be outdated as well. We need to focus on the effect and move away from the specific product. Otherwise, society will not get a grip on the nicotine issue," emphasized the addiction prevention.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.