The Ministry of Health of Spain has taken an important step in updating the regulations on tobacco and related products. A statement details a draft Royal Decree that regulates not only traditional cigarettes, but also emerging products such as nicotine pouches and electronic cigarettes, with and without nicotine.
The new legislation seeks stricter control of tobacco-related products. It also aims to protect public health from the risks associated with the consumption of these products, adapting to current market realities and responding to concerns about the impact of these products, especially among young people.
New restrictions on tobacco products and vapers
One of the highlights of the new regulation is Limiting the maximum dose of nicotine in nicotine pouches. From now on, These bags may not exceed 0.99 mg of nicotine per bag., a measure aimed at reducing the risk of addiction in consumers.
Electronic cigarettes, both those containing nicotine and those not, will also be subject to new restrictions. These include: includes the obligation to label these products with clear information about the ingredients, health warnings and recommendations for useThe use of flavourings will also be restricted, limiting permitted flavours to tobacco flavours, in order to prevent artificial flavours from attracting young people in particular.
Unification of product design
Following a European trend in tobacco control, the draft stipulates that cigarettes and rolling tobacco should have a uniform appearance, eliminating flashy designs and colours that could make these products more attractive to consumers, especially younger ones. This measure ultimately seeks to denormalise the consumption of tobacco and related products in society.
Adaptation of the sector to the new regulations
The Ministry has provided a transition period for manufacturers and retailers to adapt to the new legislation. Manufacturers will have 10 months to update the manufacturing, packaging and labelling of products, while retailers will have 12 months to sell the remaining stock of products under the previous regulations.
Clear objectives and alignment with European legislation
This initiative aims to meet several objectives, including preventing tobacco consumption, protecting public health and aligning with European legislation. The project also commits to providing consumers with more information about the products they consume, including more visible and comprehensive health warnings.
At the international level, Spain continues its efforts to harmonise its policies with the guidelines of the European Union, in particular with the European Code Against Cancer and the European Plan to Fight Cancer, which seek to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases.
