EU Commission Misses Opportunity for Evidence-Based Tobacco and Nicotine Policy

Berlin – On April 2, 2026, the European Commission released its evaluation report on the EU's legal framework for tobacco and nicotine products. The Federation of the German Tobacco Industry and New Products (BVTE) has pointed out significant deficiencies, alleging a "scientific bias" in the assessment of smoke-free nicotine products.

BVTE Managing Director Jan Mücke stated that the Commission "missed the opportunity" to develop an evidence-based and realistic tobacco policy. Instead, the federation believes the report "paves the way for further bans and continued consumer paternalism." Mücke argued that a policy solely emphasizing risks overlooks the potential of smoke-free alternatives as tools for smoking cessation.

The Commission's report unilaterally categorizes novel smoke-free nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, as public health risks. BVTE highlights that this ignores experiences from member states like Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Greece, where these products are successfully used to aid smoking cessation.

Furthermore, BVTE criticizes the systematic disregard for consumer perspectives. Despite over 15,000 citizens participating in the public consultation, BVTE claims their views were dismissed as "commercial interests." The organization also questions the neutrality of the evaluation process, noting the involvement of "anti-nicotine" NGOs that simultaneously campaigned for bans.

BVTE concludes that the report does not provide a solid basis for evolving the EU's regulatory framework for tobacco and nicotine products, advocating instead for a differentiated, evidence-based approach that realistically assesses risks and considers consumer experiences.