As of today, all EU countries must comply with the Tobacco Products Directive

The Directive includes measures on packaging, flavourings, additives, e-cigarettes and more. See the Statement by Commissioner Andriukatis and the Infographic and Memo with details on the key changes for tobacco products sold in the EU.

The Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU) aims to improve the functioning of the internal market for tobacco and related products, while ensuring a high level of health protection for European citizens. The Directive, which is based on the proposal of the European Commission, entered into force on 19 May 2014 and became applicable in the EU Member States on 20 May 2016.

Key steps in the legislative process

• 20 May 2016 – Transposition deadline for Member States
  • Statement of Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis
  • Memo: “10 key changes for tobacco products sold in the EU”
  • Infographic
  • Q and A on Combined health warnings
• 4 May 2016 – European Court of Justice declares the Directive valid
  • Press release
• 19 May 2014 – Entry into force
• 14 March 2014 – The Council adopts the revised Tobacco Products Directive
• 26 February 2014 – The European Parliament formally approves the revised Tobacco Products Directive
  • Statement of Commissioner Tonio Borg
  • Questions & answers: New rules on tobacco products
  • Mythbuster E-cigarettes
  • Infographic
• 18 December 2013 – EU Member States and the European Parliament support strengthening the rules on tobacco and related products in Europe
  • Press Release (Council)
  • Press Release (European Parliament)
  • Statement/Press Release of Commissioner Tonio Borg
• 8 October 2013 – European Parliament gives a negotiating mandate to MEP Linda McAvan
  • Press Release (European Parliament)
  • Procedure File (European Parliament)
  • Statement of Commissioner Tonio Borg
• 10 July 2013 – EP ENVI Committee adopts report on TPD
• 21 June 2013 - Council agrees on revision of tobacco rules
• 19 December 2012 - Adoption of the proposal by the European Commission

• 19 December 2012 –Proposal of the European Commission:

• Press release, memo, Commissioner's presentation, infograph on tobacco
• Citizens' summary of the revision
• Proposal for a revision of the tobacco products directive (impact assessment, summary of the impact assessment )
• The Tobacco Products Directive (2001/37/EC)
• EC reports:
  • Report summarising the public consultation on the revision of the Tobacco Products Directive
  • European Commission second report on the application of the Tobacco Products Directive
• eNews:
  • Tobacco products proposal: Setting the record straight on 10 common myths (30 May 2013)
• Factsheets for information on specific policy areas
  • E-cigarettes
  • Menthol cigarettes
  • Slim cigarettes
  • Health warnings
• Studies and opinions (These documents do not represent the point of view of the European Commission. The interpretations and opinions contained in it are solely those of the authors):
  • Study on the impact of a revision of the directive
  • Economic analysis of the EU market of tobacco, nicotine and related products
  • Study on liability and the health costs of smoking (Updated final report, April 2012)
  • Review of the science base to support the development of health warnings for tobacco packages
  • Study on availability, accessibility, usage and regulatory environment for novel and emerging tobacco, nicotine or related products
  • SCENIHR Opinion on Addictiveness and Attractiveness of Tobacco Additives
  • SCENIHR Opinion on Health Effects of Smokeless Tobacco Products
• Meetings:
  • Meetings with stakeholders on the TPD revision
  • Meetings of the Regulatory Committee for Tobacco Control