The review of tobacco products is mobilising the EU: over 80,000 responses sent to the European Commission

Brussels – More public feedback than ever before on a review of tobacco regulations. With over 80,000 responses received, the European Commission is facing an unprecedented consultation that heralds a crucial showdown over the future of the EU’s anti-smoking policies. The European Commission closed the Call for Evidence on the revision of EU rules on tobacco products and advertising today (15 June), receiving over 80,000 contributions. Over the past five years, only the consultation on the Environmental Omnibus has received more responses (over 190,000). The initiative aims to update the European regulatory framework in light of market changes, the spread of new products containing nicotine and digital marketing practices. The stated objective is to strengthen the protection of public health and adapt European rules to new forms of nicotine consumption.

According to the available data, participants include nearly 2,000 companies, around 350 trade associations, 250 academic institutions and 60 trade unions from 18 countries. This level of participation is well above the average for European consultations, which has fuelled debate about the influence of various stakeholders in the European decision-making process.

Among the most critical organisations is
Smoke Free Partnership, a European coalition committed to promoting anti-smoking policies, which has denounced an “unprecedented mobilisation by the tobacco and nicotine industry to influence the outcome of this process.” The organisation claims that pre-filled and AI-generated contributions based on misleading narratives about ‘freedom of choice’ have been encouraged. Contre Feu, a European civil society network in favour of strengthening tobacco control measures, has expressed a similar view. The organisation calls for the review to contribute to the goal of a “tobacco-free generation by 2040.” The proposals include stricter restrictions on new nicotine-based products, greater scope for action by Member States, and a total ban on online advertising, including influencer marketing.

Dr Fernando Fernández Bueno, head of the Spanish platform for tobacco harm reduction, takes a different view, arguing that the consultation process risks limiting the scientific debate on smoke-free products. According to Fernández Bueno, the current consultation procedures do not allow for an adequate assessment of the available scientific evidence. Concerns have also been expressed by the
EFFAT (European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions) and by
Copa-Cogeca,

 the main organisation representing European farmers and agricultural cooperatives. The two organisations consider a revision of the Tobacco Products Directive to be premature, citing shortcomings in the Commission’s impact assessment and the difficulties already imposed by the geopolitical context on European agricultural supply chains.

However, the closure of the Call for Evidence is just one stage in the legislative process. The Commission’s public consultation will remain open until 14 August 2026, and the contributions received will be incorporated into the impact assessment accompanying the legislative proposal expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.