Dutch Government Takes Action on Youth Tobacco Use

On April 14th, Dutch Secretary of State Maarten van Ooijen released a report and enforcement results on tobacco control in a letter addressed to the Dutch Parliament on the government's official website. In the letter, he revealed the findings of the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) regarding the use of electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouch products among youth, as well as the NVWA's inspection results on nicotine pouch products. Ooijen stated that nicotine pouches will be completely banned in the future and pledged to continue promoting anti-smoking campaigns.

Underage Use of Novel Tobacco Products

In a letter to the House of Commons, Oyigian revealed research data from the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) which showed that approximately one-eighth of young people aged 12 to 19 in the Netherlands had used electronic cigarette products in the past year. 3% of young people aged 12 to 19 reported having used nicotine pouches at some point in the past.

Furthermore, research has shown that minors mainly purchase nicotine pouches and electronic cigarette products through their friends or through social media. Meanwhile, individuals over the age of 18 mainly purchase these products from tobacco shops and online stores.

In the letter, Auken expressed concern regarding the current research data. They called on the NVWA to strengthen controls on age restrictions for users. This request was made in standard journalistic English.

Plans to completely ban nicotine pouches.

According to Dutch law, any nicotine pouch with over 0.035mg of nicotine is prohibited. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) conducted an inspection last year on importers, wholesalers, social media platforms, and sales outlets. The NVWA found particularly egregious violations in tobacco and convenience stores.

The NVWA is continuing to conduct targeted inspections on these sales channels.

In order to prevent young people, including minors, from using these products, Aojin expressed that they will continue to implement measures to combat the attraction of these products to minors.

"This year saw a ban on flavored e-cigarettes and there are plans to introduce a comprehensive ban on nicotine pouches in the future."

The EU's Oettinger Plan aims to fully prohibit nicotine pouches in accordance with the Dutch Tobacco and Tobacco Products Act. The plan seeks to regulate other non-oral nicotine products by incorporating them into the same act, which would effectively ban all advertisements for consumer products containing nicotine in the future.

Promise to continue the anti-smoking campaign.

Finally, he promised to continue maintaining the "anti-smoking campaign," with a special focus on preventing the risks of third-hand smoke (referring to the health problems caused by tobacco smoke residue in the air, on surfaces, and in indoor dust that is subsequently inhaled or touched by others), including the ban on smoking in cars.

As previously reported by 2FIRSTS, the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) discovered in a recent inspection, where authorities conduct random checks on regions, businesses or individuals to ensure compliance with legal regulations, that two-thirds of the stores inspected (23 out of 35) did not require proof of identification and sold tobacco and e-cigarette products to minors.

Reference:

【1】Kamerbrief rapporten en handhavingsresultaten tabaksontmoediging