In 2023, the European Union will introduce a ban on the sale of certain heated tobacco products. This could be confusing for adult users who may want to understand what tobacco products are being banned. The ban prohibits heated tobacco consumables with characterising flavours, meaning any product with a clearly noticeable taste or smell that is not tobacco.

EU Characterising Flavour Ban for Heated Tobacco Products.

Member State regulations implementing the characterising flavour ban come into effect on the 23rd of October 2023. All heated tobacco products with characterising flavours will no longer be available for sale. This means only heated tobacco products with a tobacco flavour shall be available. The EU first approved the motion to ban characterising flavoured heated tobacco products on the 23rd of November 2022.

Which Countries Does This Affect?

*To date, all 27 EU member states will implement the ban. Northern Ireland is also affected, but not the rest of the United Kingdom (England, Wales, and Scotland). The Northern Ireland protocol - created following Brexit - binds Northern Ireland to follow EU law. Therefore, Northern Ireland should implement the EU characterising flavour ban on heated tobacco products. 

The ban does not affect vapes or e-liquid flavourings, which are regulated by national laws of individual EU Member States.

Both vapes and heated tobacco are not risk-free and provide nicotine, which is addictive. Smoke-free products are not alternatives to quitting and are not designed as cessation aids. The best decision for any adult smoker is to quit tobacco and nicotine consumption altogether.

*Information correct at time of publication.

This article is for general information and educational purposes. Some of the information in this article is based on external, third-party sources and we make no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the accuracy, validity or completeness of such information.
 

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