The Independent European Vaping Alliance (IEVA) has expressed concern over a draft amendment proposed by the Dutch Ministry of Public Health, Welfare and Sport to regulate vaping flavoured tobacco and smoking products.
According to a statement submitted by Dutch authorities, the draft amendments aim to ban flavors other than tobacco in e-liquids in order to reduce the temptation for young people and ex-smokers to buy e-cigarettes.
Authorities noted that the measure was necessary to protect public health.
The proposal also suggests that if e-cigarettes become less attractive, the Netherlands will be more likely to achieve the goal of achieving a smoke-free generation by 2040.
According to IEVA, the proposed flavour ban is neither proportionate nor necessary, as it is too strong for what it seeks to achieve and does not meet EU requirements for member states to choose the means that least restrict the free movement of goods.
IEVA maintains that the ban would promote black market activity and endanger tens of thousands of jobs, while reducing government revenue by reducing taxes.