Discover Why The EU Tobacco Products Directive Places Limits On The Sale And Merchandising Of Tobacco

1. Discover Why The EU Tobacco Products Directive Places Limits On The Sale And Merchandising Of Tobacco And Tobacco-Related Products Have you ever wondered why that world-renowned advertisement of the attractive ‘Camel man’ puffing away at the cigarette between his masculine fingers, is no longer printed on posters or seen on television? At the same time, you may have also noted that cigarette companies are no longer sponsoring major sporting events or sports stars these days. This all has to do with legislation - the European Union Tobacco Products Directive, to be more specific. So, instead of spending money on advertising their tobacco products or great marketing campaigns, cigarette manufacturers are expected to print warnings on their packaging these days. These health warnings must be accurately stated on 65% of the product packaging, according to the directive and the aim is to inform tobacco products users of the dangers and risks involved and to promote better health. Smoking has many detrimental effects on human health and worldwide, most tobacco products are held responsible for heart and lung diseases, as well as certain types of cancer. It was precisely for this reason that the EU Tobacco Products Directive was introduced. The whole aim of the directive is to ensure a high level of health protection for all European citizens and to improve the general workings of the internal market for tobacco and other related products. When one thinks back to the eighties, for example, there was almost no legislation on the smoking of tobacco products or marketing them. Since then, much has changed, and extensive research has been done in the field. According to the findings, the finger of accusation points clearly in the direction of tobacco smoke and nicotine, as far as preventable heart and lung diseases are concerned. Meanwhile, certain cigarette manufacturers in the UK had to switch to plain packaging, without any trademarks or images that are displayed on the product, but the public, cigarette manufacturers and consumers all have to understand that the directive was not intended to ‘punish’ anyone, but that it should be seen for the purpose it stands for, namely to protect people and their health. For the longest time, however, the emphasis has only been on tobacco cigarettes only, which has consequently opened the market to alternatives such as e-cigarettes and vapes (also known as ENDS) and since their arrival just over a decade ago, there continues to be a social debate about the health risks involved in using the alternative products. Many research agencies that are involved in substance usage research in the UK, have already added their weight behind legislation that promotes tobacco harm reduction, and they often

2. express their commitment towards influencing regulatory requirements, which are of course based solely on their research and findings. The cost of tobacco-related health care in countries such as the UK costs the state billions of pounds each year and many experts reckon that tobacco control and legislation is one of the biggest public health success stories in any country. If tobacco and tobacco products are not properly regulated, more people will die from preventable diseases. Important decisions by a regulatory body or government, such as the enactment of certain laws, are not taken lightly and are usually accompanied by innovative research and scientific testing on a particular topic. Therefore, whenever you see or read about the dangers of smoking tobacco products, you can be assured that there is some extensive substance research behind that statement. Many research agencies are even tasked to assist tobacco product manufacturers with their Premarket Tobacco Product Applications, for approval by regulatory bodies such as the FDA. These agencies are advocates for good health and often look at researching alternatives, to reduce tobacco harm. About us: CSUR is a Global Leader on Behavioural Science in Tobacco Harm Reduction, operating from their base at the Centre for Substance Use Research Ltd in Glasgow. CSUR opened in 1994 linked initially to the University of Glasgow, and in 2011 CSUR became a wholly independent research centre focussing on a wider range of substance use issues and developing a large programme of behaviourally focussed regulatory science research assessing the contribution of ENDS in reducing tobacco-related health harm. Our team comprises post- doctoral researchers in behavioural science, experts in marketing, cybersecurity, and media. Our focus is on furthering the goals of tobacco-related harm reduction and assessing the public health impact of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and our goal is to ensure that those working within these industries have access to high-quality behavioural research that can further their owns goals of reducing the harms associated with the use of combustible tobacco products. Find out more by visiting our website at https://www.csures.com.