Legal Updates - New Directive on Tobacco Products

Product Regulation Law – Tobacco – Tobacco Products – New Directive – Labelling

Members of the European Parliament have voted to approve the revised Directive on Tobacco Products (replacing Directive 2001/37/EC) (the “Directive”). Some of the main implications of the new Directive are that:

• Health warnings must appear on packages and must cover 65% of front and back of the package;
• Minimum dimensions for warnings have been set. This puts an end to small packages or “lipstick-style” cigarette packs;
• Promotional and misleading elements on tobacco products are banned.

The new Directive is due to enter into force in May 2014 and Member States will have two years to bring national legislation into line with the Directive.

For any advice on your tobacco products, labelling and packaging of cigarettes and tobacco products including ecigarettes, you may contact us by email [email protected]. Visit http://www.rtcoopers.com/practice_regulatory.php.

© RT COOPERS, 2014. This Briefing Note does not provide a comprehensive or complete statement of the law relating to the issues discussed nor does it constitute legal advice. It is intended only to highlight general issues. Specialist legal advice should always be sought in relation to particular circumstances.