Poland to challenge EU menthol cigarette ban

Photo:sxc.hu

Poland is the second biggest tobacco producer in the EU, and menthol cigarettes amount to about a fifth of sales on the domestic market.

According to the Polish tobacco industry, 30,000 jobs could be lost as a result of the move.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy Janusz Piechocinski wants menthol tobacco to be listed as a traditional Polish product, which would enable the country to get round the prohibition.

The ban is part of a raft of legislation that is designed “to deter young people from starting to smoke,” according to EU Health Commissioner Tonio Borg, amid claims that many tobacco products are still “too attractive” to the young.

Besides a ban on menthol and other flavoured tobacco such as vanilla, the EU Tobacco Products Directive will increase warning labels on tobacco products, with picture warnings set to cover at least 65 percent of the front and back of cigarette packets.

Although Poland's health ministry noted that the country sees 90,000 deaths a year as a result of smoking-related diseases, the ministry of the economy proved decisive. (nh)

Source: Reuters