At its meeting last week, the Cabinet of the Luxembourg Government gave its agreement in principle on the draft law transposing Directive 2014/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 concerning the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products and related products, as well as repealing Directive 2001/37/EC; and amending the amended law of 11 August 2006 concerning tobacco control.

Stricter regulation of the manufacture, presentation and sale of cigarettes

The draft law strengthens various aspects; cigarettes and rolling tobacco containing characteristic flavours will be banned. Manufacturers will be required to report accurately to the Member States the ingredients used in tobacco products, with health warning labels covering 65% of the front and back surface of the packaging of tobacco products becoming mandatory. Similarly, it is forbidden to include any advertising or deceptive element on tobacco products. To better combat the illegal trade in tobacco products, an identification and tracking system will be introduced throughout the EU.

Alignment system applicable to the conventional cigarette that of the electronic cigarette

To protect the health of citizens and consumers against the potential risks of electronic cigarettes, the draft law provides for the prohibition of "vapotage" in the same places where the smoking ban applies: undesirable organic compounds, toxic or carcinogenic, can be found in the inhaled and emitted vapour.

In addition, the draft regulates many aspects of electronic cigarette including marketing, the content of the e-liquid, the concentration of the e-liquid nicotine, the volume of charging units, consumer information and advertising.

Strengthening Tobacco Control: No smoking on playgrounds

With the objective of protecting the health of non-smokers, and especially that of children, this measure constitutes a means of prevention that addresses those that are most vulnerable to the dangers of tobacco. By avoiding the exposure of children to smoking, the ban aims to reduce the number of children who will start smoking later. This should further promote behaviour conducive to health and also empower parents who are role models for children.

All these provisions will become effective as of 20 May 2016.