ensp.network - header ENSP Fact Sheet Series 2019 - European Network        

ENSP Fact Sheet Series 2019


ENSP has launched the second Series of Fact Sheets covering a range of tobacco control topics. The latest 3 editions are dedicated to Tobacco Taxation, Emerging and Novel Tobacco Products and Impact of novel and emerging products AND youth.

Highligts:

Context: the tobacco epidemic in Europe

High prevalence: Compared to the rest of the world, the WHO Europe Region has the highest prevalence of tobacco smoking adults and among the highest smoking rates among adolescents.

High costs: Direct health costs: Tobacco-related disease

Indirect costs: Premature death, disability due to disease, decreased productivity

High morbidity and mortality: Tobacco use is estimated to be responsible for 16% of all deaths in adults above the age of 30 in the WHO Europe Region and a major contributor to socioeconomic disparity.

What are ‘novel tobacco products’?

According to the EU Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU), a ‘novel tobacco product’ is defined as a tobacco product which does not fall into any of the following categories: cigarettes, roll-you-own tobacco, pipe tobacco, waterpipe tobacco, cigars, cigarillos, chewing tobacco, nasal tobacco or tobacco for oral use ; and was placed on the market after 19 May 2014.

  • Cigarette sales have steadily decreased in most high-income countries over the past decade.ii (WHOHTP)
  • This has led to the development and marketing of products the tobacco industry has claimed to have lower health risks.
  • Examples of novel tobacco products include: electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs).

Context: Secondhand Aerosol (SHA)

  • SHA: exposure of bystanders to the aerosol exhaled by smoking-proxy electronic inhaling systems (vapes/e-cigarettes) containing various toxic components.
  • Despite misperceptions about reduced harm, SHA exposure is not harmless due to toxicants from aerosols.
  • Studies using biomarkers of passive exposure found non-smokers, passively exposed to SHA, absorb nicotine.
  • Aerosol release contains many of the harmful constituents of cigarette smoke resulting in a high likelihood of health risks from second-hand exposure.

 

ENSP FACT SHEET ON TOBACCO TAXATION

ENSP FACT SHEET ON EMERGING AND NOVEL TOBACCO PRODUCTS

ENSP FACT SHEET ON IMPACT OF NOVEL AND EMERGING PRODUCTS AND YOUTH

 

Read again here the 2018 ENSP Fact Sheets Series.

Join the Portorož Youth Health Forum 2026

From 21 to 23 September, the Portorož Youth Health Forum brings together youth workers, youth health advocates, health professionals, experts, and stakeholders from across Europe and beyond to explore the role...

Read more
ECTC 2026: Strengthening international cooperation on Tobacco Control

Preparations are gaining momentum for the 11th European Conference on Tobacco Control (ECTC 2026), which will take place in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 4 to 6 November 2026. Held under...

Read more
Palau calls United Nations to Review Nicotine

The molecule behind 7 million deaths a year has never been regulated. A Pacific island nation of 18,000 is trying to change that Koror, Palau (June 10, 2026) — The...

Read more