Várelyi against new tobacco products: “Do not reduce health risks or addiction”

Brussels – “The use of smokeless tobacco and nicotine products as an alternative to combustible smoking does not reduce health risks.” Not to mention that “in addition to the negative health effects, these products can act as a gateway to nicotine addiction and, ultimately, to smoking.” Health Commissioner Oliver Várhelyi is adamant, returning to reiterate his “no” to new tobacco products in which the industry is investing to offer alternatives to traditional cigarettes. 

Responding to a question on the subject raised by the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), Várelyi rejected the principle that new products are more sustainable and less harmful than traditional ones: “There is no safe level of tobacco or nicotine consumption, not even for smokeless tobacco and nicotine products,” effectively refuting the question put to him. 

A part of the European Parliament believes that products such as electronic cigarettes (vaping) and heated tobacco contribute to reducing smoking and health damage, but the response given by the Commissioner responsible demonstrates the disconnect between the EU executive and Parliament. 

Várelyi cites data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to refute the claim that those who smoke e-cigarettes do not become smokers. Over 14 million adolescents aged between 13 and 15 currently use e-cigarettes globally, and young people of this age “are nine times more likely than adults to use e-cigarettes”. The WHO also points out that a non-smoker who uses electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), including nicotine-containing e-cigarettes, “may develop nicotine dependence, making it difficult to stop using ENDS, or may develop dependence on conventional tobacco products”. In short, the EU executive seems seriously intent on tightening the rules.