The European Union is moving forward with the revision of its regulations on tobacco products with a new directive (TPD3) still in the initial phase of processing, while Greece positions itself in favor of a prudent regulatory approach in one of the most sensitive dossiers that Brussels is preparing.
In what phase is the new directive
The future Tobacco Products Directive is in a preliminary phase within the European legislative procedure, with the European Commission preparing its formal proposal after considering the regulation in force since 2014 outdated.
The community calendar sets 2026 as the key year for the presentation of the text, which subsequently must overcome:
- the examination of the European Parliament
- the negotiation in the Council
- the interinstitutional trilogues
If the usual times are maintained, the rule could be approved between 2027 and 2028, with effective application in the Member States from 2028 or 2029, after its transposition.
What Brussels proposes
The reform seeks to adapt legislation to the rise of new nicotine products and advance towards the European objective of a “tobacco-free generation” in 2040.
Among the measures under study stand out:
- full inclusion of vapers, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches
- possible ban on flavors, including menthol
- greater demands on labeling, composition and presentation
- strengthening of control over commercialization, especially online
The regulatory package is also coordinated with the review of tobacco taxation, which anticipates a simultaneous tightening of regulation and taxes.
The warning of Greece
In this context, the Greek Minister of Health, Adonis Georgiadis, has advocated a prudent approach to the regulation of new tobacco products and has emphasized that any decision must be based on scientific evidence.
The Greek leader has warned that he will oppose "hasty" decisions adopted for ideological and not scientific reasons, in line with the open debate in the EU on the role of alternatives such as electronic cigarettes or heated tobacco.