De Facto Flavor Ban Threatens German Harm Reduction - Tobacco Reporter
Germany's proposed ban on cooling agents in vapes is criticized for potentially hindering harm reduction and driving consumers back to cigarettes.Summary
Germany is considering a regulation to ban menthol and other vape flavors containing synthetic cooling agents, potentially by 2026. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) suggests these agents may increase nicotine intake, especially among young people, despite acknowledging limited research. Critics, like the Bundesverband Rauchfreie Alternative, argue this equates to a de facto flavor ban and could reverse harm-reduction progress, particularly given that smoking rates remain high in Germany even after a 2020 menthol cigarette ban. Opponents, including Professor Heino Stover, emphasize the lack of scientific evidence supporting the ban and warn it could push consumers towards combustible cigarettes or the illicit market, making Germany’s goal of reducing smoking prevalence to 5% by 2040 even less achievable. The draft regulation is currently under review.
(Source：Tobacco Reporter)
