The European Commission has proposed new recommendations that could significantly restrict public vaping across the European Union. If adopted by EU member states, these guidelines would treat vaping the same as smoking, imposing tight restrictions primarily limiting vaping to private residences.
The Commission claims these measures are necessary to protect public health from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke and aerosols, which they argue pose risks to respiratory and cardiovascular health.
The recommendations encourage EU countries to amend their laws to include vaping under existing smoking regulations, extending bans to areas like indoor workplaces, public transport, recreational spaces, and outdoor areas near businesses. It would also include bans near educational institutions, hospitals, and private cars carrying children or vulnerable people.
These proposals are based on studies from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other groups that oppose vaping. Critics, however, argue that these claims are flawed and based on selective data.
For instance, a study by Stanton Glantz, which equates vaping with smoking, has been widely discredited. Consumer advocacy groups like the European Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (ETHRA) argue that vaping products don’t emit the same harmful chemicals as cigarettes and should not be treated as equally dangerous.
The Commission’s recommendations were finalized after a public consultation in 2022, which received limited feedback.
Despite concerns from the vaping community, the Commission maintains that the policies aim to protect children and vulnerable individuals from exposure to vapor, including non-nicotine products.
If adopted by member states, these restrictions could serve as a precursor to stricter measures in the future, including potential bans on vape flavors and nicotine pouches. Several countries, including Denmark, Estonia, Finland, and others, have already passed laws restricting vape flavors, and other nations like Spain are considering similar measures.
Interestingly, the Commission’s proposed restrictions do not address other harmful activities, such as cooking oil fumes or emissions from coal and oil. These contribute to serious health risks but face less regulation than vaping.
Despite limited evidence that secondhand e-cigarette vapor is harmful, the Commission is treating it as more dangerous than other known pollutants, causing concern among advocates and industry stakeholders.
