REGULATION OF ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES IN THE EU

There is no common regulation concerning electronic cigarettes within the European Union thus far. Member States take different approaches on the issue. The European Commission's proposals submitted to the European Parliament and the Council look at a revision of the Tobacco Producst Directive and classify electronic cigarettes as medicinal products. However, the electronic cigarettes industry claims that their products should be regulated as consumer products because they are neither tobacco nor medicinal products. Moreover, such regulation enables producers to attract consumers through appropriate design, label and advertising campaigns. The Commission's proposal is currently being discussed within the EP's Environment Committee.

1. No specific rules, existing consumer product safety legislation applies: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom.
2. Considered as tobacco product if it contains tobacco extract, and as a medicinal product if it contains nicotine but no tobacco extract: Belgium (ban the consumption of electronic cigarettes in enclosed public places, bars, restaurants and other public places); Luxembourg.
3. Considered as medicinal product: Austria, Denmark, Finland (ban on advertising), Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia (ban the consumption of electronic cigarettes in enclosed public places, bars and restaurants); Sweden.
4. Considered as medicinal product if nicotine content exceeds limits (10mg or 20mg/ml): France.
5. Prohibited unless specifically approved by the Health Ministry: Greece.
6. Ban as imitation tobacco products, regardless of nicotine content: Lithuania
7. Regulated under tobacco Act: Malta (ban on the consumption of electronic cigarettes in enclosed public places, bars and restaurants).
8. Advertising Ban: Poland