The 2001 Tobacco Products Directive concerns the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products in the EU. New international, scientific and market developments require that we examine whether, ten years on, the Directive still sufficiently guarantees an appropriate functioning of the internal market while ensuring a high level of health protection. In 2010 the European Commission completed a public consultation in this regard and invited EU interested parties including citizens, economic operators, and non governmental organisations to comment on possible new measures to improve awareness of the dangers of tobacco use, increase motivation to quit and discourage initiation of smoking, amongst other measures. I understand that the outcome of the analysis of the consultation process, together with the legislative proposal is to be presented by the Commission later this year.
Some of the issues being considered by the Commission in this context include, ingredients and additives, labelling and packaging, smokeless tobacco and the extension of the product scope, sales arrangements (e.g. tobacco vending machines) and measures against illicit trade. In recent discussions with representatives of the European Commission I have indicated my wish that the proposal for a revision of the Directive be published as soon as possible in order for Ireland to significantly progress the proposal during the Irish Presidency in January 2013.
