Dutch tobacco industry slams plan to raise smoking, vaping age to 21
The Dutch tobacco industry criticized a proposal to raise the smoking and vaping age to 21, calling it “ill-considered and unwise”.Summary
The Dutch tobacco industry strongly opposes a plan by the ruling parties D66, VVD, and CDA to increase the legal age for purchasing tobacco and e-cigarettes to 21, a move intended to create a “smoke-free generation.” The Vereniging Nederlandse Sigaretten- en Kerftabakfabrikanten (VSK), the industry association, labeled the proposal as “ill-considered and unwise,” arguing that individuals at 18 are considered adults capable of significant life decisions, such as taking out mortgages or serving in the military, and should therefore have the autonomy to choose whether to use tobacco or nicotine products. The VSK director, Jan Hein Sträter, questioned the logic of this distinction. Despite health experts and addiction specialists advocating for the age increase due to rising vape usage among young people, the industry argues for a thorough evaluation of existing anti-smoking measures and the effectiveness of the current age limit of 18, noting difficulties in enforcement.
(Source：Nl Times)
