Milan Declaration Calls for Vapes to Face Same Regulations as Tobacco
The European Conference on Tobacco or Health (ECTOH) in Milan has concluded with the signing of the Milan Declaration, a landmark manifesto demanding strict, tobacco-equivalent regulations for e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches. This unified stance directly challenges the industry’s “harm reduction” narrative amid rising youth addiction.
Organized by the Italian League for the Fight Against Cancer (Lilt), the conference highlighted an alarming trend: nicotine is becoming normalized among European youth through high-tech, aggressively marketed products. Currently, approximately 4 million European adolescents aged 13 to 15 use traditional tobacco, while 4.2 million use e-cigarettes.
Silvano Gallus, a researcher at the Mario Negri Institute in Milan and president of the ECTOH Milan scientific committee, warned that aggressive marketing and inflation-adjusted lower prices are hooking a new generation. “The real risk is creating a new addicted generation,” Gallus stated, emphasizing the need for proactive European policies.
The Milan Declaration calls for an immediate end to the regulatory “gray zone” that alternative products leverage. It advocates for a complete ban on advertising, increased taxation, and stricter youth protection laws to align new products with traditional tobacco standards.
| Regulatory Area | Traditional Tobacco | New Nicotine Products (Proposed) |
|---|---|---|
| Taxation | High excise duties | Equalized high taxation |
| Advertising | Strictly banned | Complete ban across all media |
| Harm Reduction Status | N/A | Rejected; treated as a public health threat |
| Environmental Accountability | Litter fines | Strict measures against electronic/plastic waste |
Furthermore, the declaration addresses the ecological footprint of modern vaping. Disposable e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches contribute heavily to urban plastic waste, toxic microplastics, and electronic litter, placing a heavy financial and environmental burden on European cities.
To achieve a tobacco-free generation by 2040, public health advocates argue that Europe must anticipate industry maneuvers rather than react to them. The Milan Declaration serves as a roadmap for local, national, and European authorities to implement a cohesive, preventive strategy.
- Read more: Italy Implements Tobacco and Vape Tax Hikes Through 2028
- News reference: Svolta sulle sigarette elettroniche, firmata la Milan Declaration: addio alla teoria della riduzione del danno e regole uguali al tabacco
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