23/11/2022 (Agence Europe) – The European Commission welcomed, on Wednesday 23 November, the entry into force of the ban on certain tobacco products (see EUROPE 12982/14). In line with its commitment to ensure a high level of health protection, particularly for young people, the European Commission had proposed on 29 June a delegated act amending Directive 2014/40 to no longer allow Member States to grant exemptions to flavoured heated tobacco products. The European Parliament and the EU Council had followed the proposal (see EUROPE 13031/15) which should contribute to the ‘Europe Against Cancer’ Plan’s goal of creating a smoke-free generation by 2040. In 2023, the Commission will propose an amendment to the Recommendation on smoke-free environments to extend its application to certain emerging products and to extend smoke-free areas. In 2024, the European tracing system will be extended to all tobacco products. (Original version in French by Émilie Vanderhulst)