News item | 29-06-2022 | 10:00
As of July 1, 2022, new legal regulations regarding tobacco will come into effect. For example, the advertising ban will be tightened up, heating devices will be regulated and all cigarettes must look neutral. All these new rules should contribute to a ‘smoke-free generation’ by 2040.
State Secretary Maarten van Ooijen (VWS): “It is extremely important that children grow up in a smoke-free environment. In doing so, we can contribute to reducing the approximately 20,000 deaths from tobacco each year. With these new legal rules, we are taking concrete steps towards the smoke-free generation. Tobacco products continue to disappear from view and become less attractive, making it easier to quit smoking and more difficult to start.”
Tightening up advertising ban
Various studies have shown that advertising, in particular, makes young people more inclined to start smoking. In addition, advertising prevents smokers from quitting. With the tightening of the advertising ban, almost all businesses that sell smoking products will have to deal with the advertising ban. Tobacco specialists are the only ones allowed to advertise, but only inside the business. Advertising on the facade and – in limited cases – the shop window is prohibited for all points of sale.
Regulation of electronic heating devices
With electronic heating devices, tobacco is heated instead of burned. These devices resemble e-cigarettes in use and appearance. When regulating heating devices, many points are linked to the regulation of e-cigarettes. For this reason, the advertising ban, the display ban and various sales restrictions (such as the age limit of 18 years) will apply to these heating devices. In addition, requirements are imposed on the packaging, such as the prohibition of certain indications and the placing of a health warning.
Neutral Cigarettes
A standard appearance will also be prescribed for all cigarettes from 1 July. As a result, there may no longer be any difference in the color, design, material and other elements on the product that can be used to distinguish between the different types of cigarettes. In 2020, neutral packaging for cigarettes and roll-your-own will be introduced. By now also setting standard requirements for the cigarette itself, it is possible to prevent the tobacco industry from shifting its attention from making the packaging attractive to making the appearance of the cigarette attractive.
The above measures make smoking less attractive and increase awareness of its harmfulness. This ultimately influences smoking behaviour, in conjunction with other measures.
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) monitors compliance with the advertising and smoking ban. Depending on the seriousness of the violation, the NVWA imposes a written warning or an administrative fine.