20/05/2020 (Agence Europe) – Almost 6 years after its adoption, the Tobacco Products Directive delivers one of its key measures: the banning of mentholated cigarettes throughout Europe from Wednesday 20 May. Indeed, these products benefited from a transitional period under Directive 2014/40/EU, unlike other products with a distinctive flavour, which have been banned since May 2016. It should be recalled that Poland, where mentholated cigarettes represented 20% of its market, had unsuccessfully challenged this measure before the EU Court of Justice (C-358/14). According to the French news agency AFP, many menthol smokers tried to build up a stock before the measure came into force. Switzerland is not subject to this rule, which could lead some people to buy in this country. (SPj)