TPD explained | Find out about the changes to UK vaping regulations
What is TPD all about; and why should you care?
Firsty, what do you know about the Tobacco Products Directive?
The Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) or European Tobacco Products Directive (EUTPD) (2014/40/EU) is a directive of the European Union which legislates the sale and merchandising of tobacco and tobacco related products across the EU. The TPD aims to ensure a high level of health protection for European citizens. The Directive entered into force on 19th May 2014 and became applicable in the EU Member States on 20th May 2016.
This Directive covers the manufacture, presentation, and sale of all tobacco related products including cigarettes, roll your own tobacco, and electronic cigarettes. In order to address this situation, the European Union and its Member States have taken various tobacco control measures in the form of legislation, recommendations and information campaigns.
In summary, the policies for the Tobacco Products Directive cover; the regulation of tobacco products on the EU market (e.g. packaging, labelling, and ingredients), advertising restrictions for tobacco products, the creation of smoke-free environments, tax measures and activities against illegal trade, and acquiring anti-smoking campaigns.
With specific regard to e-cigarettes, the TPD introduced new rules which ensure:
1. Minimum standards for safety and quality
2. Information is provided to consumers of nicotine containing products
3. That protections are put into place to prevent children from starting to use the products
So, what are these new rules?
