Ireland and EU must follow example of Biden administration by cutting nicotine levels in tobacco products –Burke

Nicotine levels in cigarettes, e-cigarette products, and other so-called reduced risk tobacco products should be capped, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Colm Burke, Fine Gael Health Spokesperson, said, “Nicotine is a highly addictive and dangerous substance which has prevented millions of smokers across Ireland and the European Union from quitting.

“On the 21^st of June, the Biden administration said that it plans to develop a rule requiring tobacco companies to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes and other products sold by tobacco companies in the United States to minimal or nonaddictive levels.

“The US Food and Drug Administration said the goal is to reduce youth use, addiction and death. The FDA has also ordered Juul to take its e-cigarette products off the market in the US, due to the company’s aggressive marketing which caused significant levels of teenage nicotine addiction.

“There is a pressing need for similar actions here in Ireland and across the European Union in the context of Ireland’s Public Health [Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products] Bill, the review of the tobacco tax directive, which is underway, and the forthcoming review of the tobacco products directive.

“Vaping is gaining popularity across Ireland, with packaging and flavours appealing to young people in the first instance and high levels of nicotine fostering addiction.

“For the first time in 25 years, after falling from 41% to 13%, the smoking rate amongst our 15-16 year olds is now increasing. 39% of this age group have used e-cigarettes, while over 15% are regular users.

“Other so-called reduced risk products with high nicotine are wreaking havoc across Europe. According to figures produced by the European Commission’s health directorate, the rate of EU citizens using heated tobacco products increased by 2009% between 2018 and 2020.

“In this context, I welcome the good work underway at the European Commission to review the tobacco tax directive and would urge both the Irish government and other EU Member States to give their full support to these efforts.

“However, we need to go further by reducing the addictiveness of these deadly products through caps on nicotine. The Department of Health and the EU Commission should liaise with the FDA in the US and co-ordinate specific proposals on reducing nicotine levels. The policy would fit with a major goal of the European Commission – to cut cancer deaths.  Europe’s beating cancer plan aims to reduce cancer deaths, 40% of which are preventable in Europe.  Tobacco use remains the No. 1 cause of preventable death in Ireland and the European Union.  Ireland has been a world leader in the fight against the damage caused by tobacco products and we must once again be prepared to lead the way by capping the levels of nicotine allowed in all tobacco and non-tobacco products which contain nicotine.

“It has been reported that some tobacco companies are looking to enter the healthcare space and are seeking to present so-called reduced risk products as evidence that they can be part of the solution.

“Tobacco companies masquerading as healthcare providers are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Tobacco kills and that will never change” concluded Deputy Burke