Spain’s Proposed Vape & Nicotine Pouch Rules Face Strong EU Opposition
Six Nations Issue Formal Objections, Forcing Review Over Internal Market Concerns
Spain’s plan to tighten regulations on alternative tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, has encountered significant opposition within the European Union. Six member states – Italy, Sweden, Greece, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Romania – have issued formal “reasoned opinions” against the proposed Spanish Royal Decree, citing concerns about its potential impact on the EU’s internal market.
This collective action forces Spain to halt the legislative process for at least three months, until July 28, during which it must address the objections raised. Sweden has specifically voiced concerns about Spain’s proposed limit of 0.99 mg of nicotine per nicotine pouch (‘snus’), arguing the justification provided is insufficient and less intrusive measures could be considered.
Spain’s draft decree included several key measures: banning flavors in e-cigarettes (with or without nicotine), reducing the maximum nicotine content in vape liquids from 20 mg/ml to 15 mg/ml, and introducing new legal categories and regulations for nicotine pouches and heated herbal products. The European Commission and Croatia also submitted observations.
Receiving six reasoned opinions is highly unusual within the EU’s technical review process (TRIS), marking Spain’s proposal as one of the most contested this year and signaling potentially difficult negotiations ahead before the rules can be implemented.
- News source: Fuerte oposición europea a la propuesta española sobre productos alternativos al tabaco
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