In the absence of a firm plan to overhaul tobacco regulations this year, the European Commission is coming under pressure to revise its outdated Tobacco Excise Directive (TED).

Individual member states and lobby groups are calling  for the EU to update legislation on minimum tobacco tax levels and new and alternative products.

Following the Dutch government’s spearheading of a proposal for stricter regulations, the World Vapers’ Alliance has sent an open letter to the Commission and EU countries.

It states that the Dutch-led move “threatens to undermine years of progress in helping smokers quit through safer alternatives like vaping and nicotine pouches”.

The open letter accusing policymakers of “ignoring scientific advice and public opinion in favour of misguided, prohibitionist approaches” has been signed by more than 100,000 petitioners across Europe.

Read the full text here