EU Commission Criticized for Lack of Transparency in Tobacco Industry Talks

Apr.19.2023
EU Commission Criticized for Lack of Transparency in Tobacco Industry Talks
EU watchdog criticizes lack of transparency in tobacco industry talks, demands response within 3 months.

On April 18th, according to a Reuters report, European regulators have preliminarily determined that the European Commission's handling of talks with the tobacco industry lacked transparency and constitutes poor management. They have demanded a response within three months.


On Tuesday, the European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, revealed in an open letter that her team has conducted an investigation into the contacts between the European Commission and representatives of tobacco interests in 2020 and 2021. This followed up on an early study from 2016.


The inspector had recommended that the entire committee adopts the proactive and transparent policy of the DG Sante regarding hygiene and food safety. The letter stated that no other department except for the tax and customs departments had implemented the suggestion.


This level of transparency is required by the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, aimed at protecting current and future populations from the harmful effects of smoking.


The overseer wrote, "My preliminary opinion is that the European Commission has failed to fully fulfill its obligations stemming from the treaty, and this constitutes poor management.


After the European Parliament became embroiled in a cash-for-influence scandal, there has been increasing attention on the interactions between EU institutions and lobbying groups. Two members of the European Parliament have been charged with corruption and money laundering in Belgium.


Inspectors have discovered that there were inadequate records kept and not all meeting records with tobacco interest representatives were kept and provided. Inspectors are also questioning whether officials within the committee only interact with the tobacco industry when it is “absolutely necessary".


O'Reilly stated that she expects to receive a response within three months, which will be posted on the inspector's website.


Although the recommendations of the inspector are not legally binding, they hold strong moral authority.


Further reading:


The Latest Trend in EU Regulation: Disposable E-Cigarettes Will Face the Highest Legal Risks.


The European Union has outsourced key responsibilities for tobacco control, with three private organizations winning bids.


Legislating at the national level more effective than EU? Swedish lawmakers predict stricter and higher electronic cigarette taxes for the EU.


In 2025, there will be a major change in disposable products as the EU mandates that devices must be dismantled and recycled by users themselves.


Reference:


The European Union Commission has been criticized for its interactions with the tobacco industry.



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.

UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill Returns to House of Lords on April 20 for Ping Pong Consideration
UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill Returns to House of Lords on April 20 for Ping Pong Consideration
The UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill is set to return to the House of Lords on April 20 for consideration of Commons amendments in the parliamentary “ping pong” process. The bill aims to create the first “smoke-free generation” by ensuring that children turning 15 this year or younger can never legally be sold tobacco. It also seeks to enable product and information requirements to be imposed in connection with tobacco, vapes, and other products.
Apr.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai
U.S. Senator Durbin Criticizes FDA’s First Flavored Vape Authorization, Says Trump Administration Conceded to Big Tobacco
U.S. Senator Durbin Criticizes FDA’s First Flavored Vape Authorization, Says Trump Administration Conceded to Big Tobacco
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin on May 13 criticized the Trump Administration’s Food and Drug Administration for approving the sale and marketing of fruit-flavored e-cigarettes for the first time, while also allowing some illegal vaping products to remain on the market. He also linked the regulatory shift to the departure of FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, saying White House pressure on regulators to approve tobacco product applications could create serious public-health consequences.
Regulations
May.15
Brazilian Research Institutions Prepare Joint Recommendations on Electronic Smoking Device Studies
Brazilian Research Institutions Prepare Joint Recommendations on Electronic Smoking Device Studies
Brazil’s National Cancer Institute, the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, and other research institutions are preparing a joint letter with recommendations and guidance for studies on electronic smoking devices, including e-cigarettes, vapes, and similar products. The guidelines were discussed on April 14 and 15 at the seminar “Building a Priority Research Agenda on Electronic Smoking Devices for Brazil” in Rio de Janeiro.
Apr.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
FDA Defines Enforcement Focus for Unauthorized E-Cigarettes and Nicotine Pouches
FDA Defines Enforcement Focus for Unauthorized E-Cigarettes and Nicotine Pouches
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued guidance on May 8, 2026, titled “Enforcement Priorities for Certain New Tobacco Products Marketed Without Premarket Authorization.” The document describes FDA enforcement policies for certain electronic nicotine delivery system products and nicotine pouch products marketed without premarket authorization.
May.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Patent Discloses Nicotine Tooth Patch for Fixed Oral Delivery
China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Patent Discloses Nicotine Tooth Patch for Fixed Oral Delivery
According to Chinese patent records, a “nicotine tooth patch” application filed by China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Corporation (CTHB) and Hubei Xinye Tobacco Sheet Development Co., Ltd. was published on May 19, 2026. The filing proposes a nicotine gel patch that adheres to the tooth surface, especially the lingual side, to reduce displacement, foreign-body sensation, and accidental swallowing risks associated with existing oral nicotine products.
Jun.10
    Shenzhen Tobacco Monopoly Bureau Moves to Advance E-Cigarette Regulatory System 2.0
Shenzhen Tobacco Monopoly Bureau Moves to Advance E-Cigarette Regulatory System 2.0
The Shenzhen Tobacco Monopoly Bureau recently held the city’s 2026 e-cigarette regulation work conference to implement higher-level meeting requirements, review the city’s e-cigarette regulatory work in 2025 and during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, assess the current situation, and deploy the rollout of E-cigarette Regulatory System 2.0 across Shenzhen’s tobacco commercial system.
Apr.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai