Member States Push Back on EU’s Tobacco Approach at EPSCO Meeting

At last Friday’s EPSCO meeting, several EU Member States – including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Greece, Sweden, and Bulgaria – raised clear concerns about the European Commission’s direction on future tobacco legislation.

Three Key Messages from Member States

The Member States delivered a coordinated set of messages, centered on the following points:

1. Health is a national competence
   Several countries stressed that public health policy remains primarily a national responsibility under EU treaties. Rather than centralised regulation, they advocated for enhanced collaboration between Member States through voluntary cooperation platforms such as joint actions.

2. Need for proper process and robust impact assessment
   Concerns were raised about the lack of transparency and insufficient time for consultation. Countries called for a comprehensive Impact Assessment (IA) before any legislative proposals are presented – an essential step to ensure evidence-based and proportionate regulation.

3. The goal should be to help adult smokers move away from combustible tobacco
   Delegations emphasized that future regulation should focus on harm reduction – supporting adult smokers in transitioning to less harmful alternatives, rather than introducing blanket restrictions that may hinder that shift.

Pouch Patrol’s Take

At Pouch Patrol, we firmly support the principle that adult smokers should have access to less harmful alternatives to cigarettes – including modern oral nicotine products. Harm reduction should be at the heart of any effective tobacco policy.

Sweden offers a compelling example: thanks in large part to the widespread use of snus, the country is projected to become the first smoke-free nation in Europe – with daily smoking rates expected to fall below 5% later this year. This progress has not come through prohibition, but through providing adult consumers with viable alternatives.

As the EU considers its next steps, we believe the focus must remain on enabling – not restricting – the transition away from combustible tobacco.

Take Action

Do you believe in harm reduction and smarter public health policy? Let your voice be heard.

Contact Ursula von der Leyen’s press secretary – and urge the Commission to prioritise adult access to less harmful alternatives over outdated bans.