Cover image: Screenshot of the European Commission’s proposal for a Council Recommendation on cardiovascular health checks. | Source: European Commission / EUR-Lex
Key Points
EU Clarification: The European Commission told 2Firsts that its proposed cardiovascular health checks would assess smoking, vaping and smokeless nicotine product use as part of patients’ medical histories.
Member State Flexibility: The proposal sets out key indicators at EU level, while Member States may organise additional checks based on their healthcare systems and patients’ medical histories.
Tobacco Law Evaluation: The Commission also pointed to JRC research on e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches, saying the work had fed into the evaluation of EU tobacco legislation.
2Firsts
November 9, 2026
The European Commission has clarified to 2Firsts that its proposed cardiovascular health checks would include smoking, vaping and the use of smokeless nicotine products in patients’ medical-history assessments.
The Commission responded after 2Firsts sought clarification on an accompanying Q&A that referred only to “lifestyle factors” for adults aged 35 to 64.
In a written response, the Commission pointed to the annex of the proposed Council Recommendation, which lists “smoking, vaping and using smokeless nicotine products” alongside diet, physical activity, respiratory function and alcohol consumption.
Member State Flexibility
The Commission said the proposal sets out key indicators for consideration, while Member States may organise additional checks within their healthcare systems.
Further assessments may also depend on a patient’s medical and health history, it added.
The proposal is part of the EU’s broader Safe Hearts Plan, which covers cardiovascular disease prevention, early detection and treatment. The plan also lists the modernisation of tobacco-control legislation among its flagship initiatives.
JRC Study Fed Into EU Tobacco Legislation Evaluation
In the same response, the Commission pointed 2Firsts to a review by its Joint Research Centre examining e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches.
The Commission said the JRC work had fed into the evaluation of EU tobacco legislation. The review examines health outcomes associated with the three product categories, as well as evidence concerning smoking initiation and cessation.
2Firsts will continue to monitor EU regulatory developments concerning tobacco and nicotine products.
Disclaimer
This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.
Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.
The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.
This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.
Copyright Notice
This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.
No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.
For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.
AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice
Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.
Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.
