Smoke Free Partnership has welcomed the European Commission’s long-awaited evaluation of the EU tobacco control framework, but warned that further delays in updating legislation could undermine public health efforts.

The organization said the review, covering the Tobacco Products Directive and the Tobacco Advertising Directive, comes late, as it was initially expected in 2022. While acknowledging that current rules have helped reduce smoking rates and tobacco-related deaths across Europe, it stressed that the framework is now outdated.

According to SFP, new challenges, especially the rise of diverse nicotine products and aggressive marketing, continue to put young people at risk. The group highlighted that Europe still has the highest tobacco use rates among WHO regions, with millions of teenagers using tobacco and increasing uptake of e-cigarettes.

SFP Director Erin Roman said the Commission’s evaluation is a necessary step, but warned that a four-year delay has already allowed the tobacco industry to exploit regulatory gaps.

The organization is now calling on the European Commission to move quickly with an impact assessment and propose updated rules. It is urging stronger regulation of all nicotine products, tighter controls on flavours and marketing, and a clear focus on preventing youth addiction, aligned with the EU’s goal of a “Tobacco-Free Generation” by 2040.