Press Release: Council approves compromise on tobacco directive

On 18 December 2013 the Permanent Representatives Committee approved a compromise text for a revised EU tobacco directive. The main objective of the directive's revision is to make tobacco products less attractive by strengthening the rules on how tobacco products can be manufactured, presented and sold.

EurActiv reported that this Tobacco Products Directive leaves national authorities to decide whether refillable e-cigarettes should be considered as tobacco products or medicine.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: European Parliament's vote on the Tobacco Products proposal. Statement by Health Commissioner, Tonio Borg http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-european-parliaments-vote-on-the-tobacco-products-proposal-statement-by-health-commissioner-tonio-borg/

EurActiv, 18.12.13: EU ministers and parliament reach deal on tobacco directive http://www.euractiv.com/health/council-parliament-reach-deal-to-news-532415

European Commission: RAPID: Memo, MEMO/13/1177: Commissioner Borg welcomes agreement on the revision of the Tobacco Products Directive http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-1177_en.pdf

European Parliament: Press Release, 18.12.13: Tobacco directive: MEPs reach agreement with Council of Ministers http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20131216IPR31001/

EurActiv, 19.12.13: New tobacco directive turns blind eye on e-cigarettes http://www.euractiv.com/health/eus-new-tobacco-directive-agreed-news-532445

EUObserver, 18.12.13: EU lawmakers agree tobacco bill http://euobserver.com/social/122511

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