The Smoke Free Partnership, the European Chronic Disease Alliance (ECDA) and public health organisations across Europe are urging the European Commission to deliver an ambitious revision of the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) and Tobacco Advertising Directive (TAD).

In an open letter to Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, the organisations express their support for a recent initiative by EU Member States calling for stronger, future-proof tobacco and nicotine legislation.

At a time when around 4 million adolescents aged 13-15 in the WHO European Region use tobacco, and 14.3% use e-cigarettes, the highest prevalence of adolescent e-cigarette use of any WHO region, urgent action is needed.

The organisations call on the Commission to close regulatory loopholes, reduce the appeal of tobacco and nicotine products, strengthen advertising restrictions and protect public health policymaking from tobacco industry interference, in line with Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

SFP, ECDA and their partners urge the Commission to translate Member States’ ambition into a comprehensive legislative framework that protects current and future generations from tobacco-related disease and nicotine dependence.

Read the full press release and the open letter below.