An analysis of the European Commission's Tobacco Products Directive consultation found that more than 90% of respondents raised objections to the proposed regulatory direction. Photo credit: Pixel2013, Pixnio.
The European Commission's public consultation on revising the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) has attracted more than 82,000 submissions, with an analysis finding that over 90% of respondents raised at least one significant objection to the proposed regulatory direction, reports EUnews.
The findings come from a review by We Are Innovation, an independent network that examined all consultation responses and categorized them by content and stakeholder group. According to the report, only about 2% of respondents expressed clear support for a more restrictive regulatory approach.
The analysis found broad opposition across respondent categories rather than from a single interest group. It reported objections in 96% of submissions from academics and researchers, 94% from businesses, nongovernmental organizations, and other organizations, and 93% from members of the public.
Federico Fernández, c.e.o. of We Are Innovation, said the breadth of the response deserved policymakers' attention.
"The scale of the response points to something that deserves to be taken into consideration," he said. "Of over 82,000 contributions from 138 countries, more than 90% raised at least one substantial objection, while around 2% expressed support."
Fernández argued that "risk differentiation must form the basis of the regulatory framework," adding that regulations should reflect the differing risk profiles of combustible and non-combustible products.
Retailers also voiced concerns during the consultation. The European Confederation of Tobacco Retailers (CEDT), which represents more than 140,000 family-owned and specialist tobacco retailers across eight EU member states, warned that excessive restrictions could undermine legitimate retail channels while creating opportunities for illicit trade.
"Effective regulation should not weaken the legal local retail network, but should recognize and strengthen it as an institutional partner in achieving the European Union's objectives in the areas of control, prevention, and public safety," said CEDT president Miguel Ángel Martínez.
The consultation also highlighted ongoing concerns over illicit tobacco products. The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) recently coordinated enforcement actions with authorities in Spain, Poland, Portugal, Lithuania, and Europol, dismantling two international counterfeit tobacco networks. Authorities seized more than 20 million cigarettes and 38.4 metric tons of manufactured tobacco and tobacco leaf worth more than €10 million (US$11.7 million).
Not all stakeholders viewed the consultation results as a guide for future legislation. Smoke Free Partnership argued that policymakers should evaluate the quality and scientific rigor of evidence rather than rely on the volume of submissions.
"Public consultations are an essential part of the European Union's legislative process, and citizens must have the opportunity to express their views," the organization said. However, it added that consultations "serve to inform policy, not to determine it on the basis of the volume of responses received."
The consultation forms part of the European Commission's broader review of the Tobacco Products Directive and the Tobacco Advertising Directive, which aims to update EU rules to reflect developments in tobacco and nicotine products. The Commission will consider feedback from the consultation alongside scientific evidence and input from member states before presenting legislative proposals later this year.