Commission evaluations assess the performance of existing policies, programmes and legislation to judge how well they have performed or are working.
The Commission undertook the evaluation of the Tobacco Products Directive 2014/40/EU and the Tobacco Advertising Directive 2003/33/EC, to assess their effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence and EU added value in protecting public health and the smooth functioning of the internal market.
The evaluation was launched in the context of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan (EBCP). The plan calls for the creation of a “Tobacco-Free Generation”, where less than 5% of the population uses tobacco by 2040.
On 2 April 2026, the Commission published its Staff Working Document on the evaluation.
The evaluation found that the EU rules on tobacco control have contributed to a significant decline in smoking and tobacco-related deaths across the EU, as well as supporting the internal market. At the same time, the evaluation highlights growing challenges linked to the rapid emergence and increasing use of novel tobacco and nicotine products, particularly among young people.
Related documents
Evaluation documents
- Staff Working Document – Evaluation of the Tobacco Products Directive, Tobacco Advertising Directive and related policies across the EU (SWD(2026) 111 final)
- Staff Working Document – Executive summary: evaluation of the Tobacco Products Directive, Tobacco Advertising Directive and related policies across the EU (SWD(2026) 112 final)
- Press release - Commission evaluation of the EU tobacco control framework
- Questions and Answers - Evaluation of Tobacco Control Framework
- Regulatory Scrutiny Board Opinion on the evaluation
Consultations & stakeholder input (2022-2023)
- Public consultation - evaluation of EU tobacco control framework
- Call for evidence - evaluation of EU tobacco legislation
Evidence base (2021-2026)
- Report on health outcomes associated with the use of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches (JRC)
- Report on trends and patterns of use of tobacco and nicotine products in the EU (JRC)
- Report on the assessment of the causes, drivers and level of cross-border distance sales in the EU
- Report on the analysis of the track and trace system and illicit trade in the EU
- Results of the study supporting the Evaluation of the Tobacco Control Acquis
- Scientific opinion – electronic cigarettes (SCHEER)
- Study – The health-related costs attributable to tobacco use in the EU (JRC)
- Study – Assessment of the use and impact of digital marketing of tobacco and nicotine products
- Study– Digital advertising of tobacco and related products under EU law: A legal mapping of the present scope of regulation
- Study – Smoke-free environments and advertising of tobacco and related products
- Study – Consumer preference and perception of specific categories of tobacco and related products
- Survey – Attitudes of Europeans towards tobacco and related products (Eurobarometer SP539)
Application report & supporting study (2021)
- Report – application of Tobacco Products Directive (COM/2021/249 final)
- Study – support to Commission report on application of Tobacco Products Directive
