The Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) is a set of European Union (EU) regulations that apply to the production, sale, and labeling of tobacco products within the EU. The TPD was introduced in 2014 in order to reduce the harm caused by tobacco use and to improve the functioning of the internal market for tobacco products.
Objectives of the Tobacco Products Directive
One of the main objectives of the TPD is to reduce the attractiveness of tobacco products, particularly to young people. To achieve this, the TPD imposes strict rules on the marketing and labeling of tobacco products, including the size and placement of health warnings and the prohibition of certain types of packaging and labeling. The TPD also introduces limits on the nicotine content of e-cigarettes and requires e-cigarette manufacturers to disclose the ingredients used in their products.
In addition to its provisions on marketing and labeling, the TPD also includes rules on the safety and quality of tobacco products. These rules require tobacco manufacturers to provide information on the ingredients used in their products and to report any adverse effects of their products to the relevant authorities.
The TPD was introduced in response to the increasing evidence of the harm caused by tobacco use and the need to take action to reduce this harm. Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable death and disease, and it is estimated that tobacco-related illnesses result in over 700,000 deaths in the EU each year. The TPD is part of a wider EU strategy to reduce tobacco-related harm and improve public health.
Overall, the Tobacco Products Directive is an important piece of legislation that aims to reduce the harm caused by tobacco use and to improve the functioning of the internal market for tobacco products within the EU. It is designed to protect the health of EU citizens and to create a more level playing field for tobacco manufacturers.
Negatives of the TPD
The major downside to the TPD is the environmental damage caused by excessive packaging, prior to the TPD you could buy e-liquid pre-mixed with nicotine in any size you wanted, although they were primarily sold in 30ml -60ml glass bottles with pipettes, after the TPD the maximum size was reduced to 10ml plastic bottles.