TPD3: Consumers and scientists urged to act as EU prepares new tobacco rules
As the European Union begins work on the next revision of its Tobacco Products Directive (TPD3), an international group of public health experts, researchers, and consumer advocates is calling on nicotine consumers across Europe to make their voices heard.
Meeting in Warsaw this week, participants in the “EUTPD3 roundtable” warn that decisions made over the coming months could have significant consequences for millions of smokers and users of smoke-free nicotine products.
Their message is simple: consumers should not be left out of the conversation.
“We felt it was important to come together and urge consumers to get involved in the process and have their voices heard,” says Dr. Fernando F. Bueno, a Spain-based surgeon and spokesperson for the THR Platform, Spain
Ensuring policy decisions focus on health outcomes
The roundtable brought together an international group of experts and consumer representatives ahead of the European Commission’s public consultation on TPD3, which is expected to shape the future regulation of tobacco and nicotine products across the EU.
Following a lively discussion, the group agreed on a joint statement calling for action.
While the group’s published statement covers a wide range of policy issues, a recurring theme was the need for future regulation to be grounded in scientific evidence and focused on reducing smoking-related harm.
Participants argue that policymakers should consider not only the risks associated with different products, but also how regulations influence real-world behaviour, including smoking cessation, product switching, and unintended consequences such as illicit trade.
TPD3: A hot topic in Brussels
The discussion comes at a time when the role of smoke-free alternatives remains one of the most debated topics in European public health as policymakers grapple with a third update to the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD).
Supporters of harm reduction argue that regulations should reflect differences in risk between combustible tobacco products and lower-risk alternatives.
At the same time, critics continue to push for tighter restrictions across the nicotine category.
For many at the Warsaw meeting, the concern was less about a specific policy proposal and more about who gets a seat at the table.
“All too often, policymakers in Brussels overlook or actively ignore the views of ordinary citizens,” says Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos, the Greek cardiologist and nicotine researcher.
“We don’t want to let that happen when it comes to a policy decision that could have a potentially major impact for smokers and nicotine consumers in the EU.”
The importance of empowering consumers
Consumer organisations attending the meeting echoed that sentiment, arguing that people directly affected by nicotine policy are often underrepresented in regulatory discussions.
“We as consumer organisations are rarely included when and where important EU decisions are made,” says Carissa Düring, Director of Considerate Pouchers Sweden.
“This is an important step in the right direction for empowering consumers to make a difference.”
The group’s statement also encourages stakeholders to participate in the European Commission’s ongoing consultation process and to submit evidence, experiences, and perspectives ahead of the June 15th deadline to help inform future policymaking.
