The Ministry of Health has already published the draft royal decree that updates the regulations on tobacco and related products. This initiative is part of the Comprehensive Smoking Prevention and Control Plan 2024-2027 and focuses on aspects such as product content, quality and safety requirements, and packaging and outer packaging. The objective is to improve the protection of public health through stricter regulation adapted to the current market reality.
Health justifies the modernization of tobacco regulations given the wide variety of products with differentiated characteristics that go beyond conventional cigarettes or rolling tobacco. Today it is no longer just smoking. There are products with or without tobacco, with or without nicotine, with or without electronic components, and even with hybrid aspects that make their cataloging difficult. “This diversity represents a challenge and requires an appropriate technical response to guarantee the protection of the health of people who consume these new products,” says the Ministry of Health in a statement.
To reduce harm to consumers and prevent adolescent access to these products, new limitations are proposed:
1
Plain tobacco packaging
Goodbye to products with attractive and branded packaging that encourage consumption. There will be a unique model of cigarette and rolling tobacco pack. Distinctive attractive colors and design elements are removed.
2
Electronic cigarettes without nicotine are regulated
There will also be labeling requirements for electronic cigarettes or vapers. A list of ingredients and health warnings will be established as traditional tobacco already has. Like “Consuming this product is harmful to your health.” It will be accompanied by a type of leaflet, like the one that medicines have, or an informative leaflet with information on use, possible side effects, contraindications…
3
Restriction of flavorings
The new regulations also restrict those attractive flavorings that accompany vapers, such as vanilla, strawberry, banana flavors… Only tobacco aromas will be allowed to prevent artificial flavors from attracting the young population.
4
Nicotine and heated herb pouches are regulated
Regulates the new fashion of smokeless nicotine pouches that are used by placing them on the gum. Only a maximum dose of 0.99 mg per sachet will be allowed. Also heated herbal products, establishing safety, labeling and marketing requirements.
5
Labeling modification
Labeling of tobacco and related products is updated to improve the information available to consumers, including clearer and more complete health warnings.
Businesses have a year to adapt
The Ministry of Health establishes a transition period for manufacturers and marketers to adapt to the new labeling, packaging and manufacturing standards. They have ten months to carry out this transition process, while businesses are given a little more margin. They have up to one year to sell the products that they still have in stock and that were adapted to the previous regulations.
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