Spain's Health Commission Proposes Regulation on Disposables

According to Redaccionmedica, the spokesperson for the Sumar Health Commission in Spain, Rafael Cofiño, presented a non-legislative proposal (PNL) in parliament to promote a discussion on regulating disposable e-cigarettes or other devices containing nicotine-free e-liquid.

Sumar is urging the government to amend the Royal Decree issued on June 9, 2017 regarding the regulation of tobacco products and related products in manufacturing, packaging, and market sales.

The amendment aims to include the definition of "devices that can release nicotine from e-cigarette products." This amendment will cover nicotine-free e-cigarette devices, making their regulation equivalent to current nicotine products, thus requiring the same registration, toxicological studies (as a prerequisite for market sales), and other requirements.

Additionally, Sumar plans to push for reforms to the royal decree, introducing specific bans such as prohibiting the appearance of electronic devices containing nicotine or without nicotine in a way that specifically targets minors, such as designing them in the shape of children's toys or mimicking food or beverage designs. Furthermore, to prevent the use of non-nicotine e-cigarette devices in public places, the PNL proposes reforms to the law including prohibiting the sale of non-nicotine e-liquids to minors and the use of non-nicotine devices in places designated by additional item twelve.

Meanwhile, Sumar plans to establish a licensing system in the legal reform scheduled for December 26, 2005. This system will allow the sale of tobacco and stamps only in designated shops and online stores that specifically cater to such items, understood as those retail outlets that meet the requirements.

These conditions include:

• The main activities of the store include selling electronic devices that release nicotine and nicotine-free products; 
• Minors are prohibited from entering these stores; 
• There must be a collection point inside the store to collect waste generated by e-cigarettes for recycling; 
• Online sales points must have a dual age verification system; 
• Vending machines are only allowed to sell with an age verification system in place.