– The government is concerned about the increased use of e-cigarettes among children and adolescents. There is no doubt that the use of e-cigarettes is associated with health risks, says Minister of Health and Welfare Ingvild Kjerkol.

“With this bill, we want to prevent young people from starting to use e-cigarettes. A ban on flavorings and requirements for standardized packaging will make e-cigarettes less attractive to young people, says Kjerkol.

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More and more young people are using e-cigarettes

A 2021 report from the European Commission shows that more and more young people in the EU are using e-cigarettes. National studies show similar findings changes in Norway. Therefore, the government will have measures aimed at young people.

- Children and youth are particularly exposed to the harmful effects of nicotine products. Therefore, the goal is to prevent children and adolescents from starting to use e-cigarettes and developing nicotine addiction, says Kjerkol.

Childhood and adolescence is a period of increased risk of nicotine addiction and a period particularly sensitive to permanent damage to brain development.

More adjustments

In the proposal, the Ministry proposes two measures related to the regulation of e-cigarettes:

  • Prohibition of e-cigarettes and characterizing flavor refill containers and separate flavoring containers for e-cigarettes. By characterizing aroma is meant a clearly perceptible smell or taste of something other than tobacco. The proposal is based on similar provisions i.a. in Finland and Denmark.
  • Requirements for standardized packaging for e-cigarettes, etc. The proposal builds on similar provisions, e.g. such as in Denmark and the Netherlands.

Minor changes to the law are also proposed, such as clarifying the scope of smoking bans due to the emergence of many new types of products on the market, clarifying the ban on visible display of products and technical changes for greater consistency of regulations.

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Source: regjeringen