According to a report by ORF on December 26th, despite a decrease in the number of smokers in Austria, an increasing number of people are turning to new tobacco products such as nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes. Otmar Schwarzenbohler, Chairman of the Lower Austrian Tobacco Merchants' Association, stated that young people are shifting from traditional cigarettes to these new products, and therefore they should also be sold in tobacco shops.
Currently, there are over 4,500 tobacco shops in Austria, with 1,000 located in Lower Austria. These shops have a monopoly on the sale of tobacco products, accounting for 70% of their business. However, new tobacco products are not included in this monopoly. The chairman criticized this, stating, "These products are currently being sold in vending machines alongside candy and soda.
Schwarzenböck is calling for all nicotine products to only be sold in tobacco shops in the future. He points out that the current tobacco law has a history of 240 years and is in need of reform to transform it into a nicotine law that is in line with the times. In Austria, tobacco products can only be sold to those over 18, with additional regulations set by the federal states through youth protection laws. While tobacco shops have voluntarily set an age limit of 18, this limit is often ignored in vending machines and some stores.
In addition, he pointed out that without new laws in place, many tobacco shops will face closure. Out of the 1000 tobacco shops in Lower Austria, only 20 may survive in the future. He believes that existing social programs will also be affected, as the vacant shops can only be allocated to individuals with disabilities exceeding 50%. Currently, there are 1218 disabled individuals operating tobacco shops in Austria, accounting for 55% of the total.
Tobacco merchants are urging the future Austrian government to include nicotine laws in its policy agenda to protect the livelihood of many tobacco shop owners.
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