Former German Bundestag Member Proposes Regulating the Colors and Design of E-Cigarettes

According to foreign media reports: Former German Bundestag member Burkhard Blienert believes that regulating the appearance and packaging of e-cigarettes will help reduce consumption among young people of e-cigarette products.

The narcotics commissioner stated that while he acknowledges the debate about whether e-cigarettes can help reduce tobacco harm, he is concerned about the smoking rates among young people. "This has become a very popular trend," Blienert told POLITICO in an interview. He added that this growing popularity "indicates that regulatory measures are becoming increasingly necessary to eliminate this strong advertising influence."

Blienert believes that standardizing the appearance of e-cigarettes and "minimizing their appeal through color, shape, and design" would be a useful tool in reducing the popularity of e-cigarettes among young people. He also stated that packaging design should be constrained. In France, Belgium, and Ireland, plain packaging has been used as a means to curb tobacco cigarette consumption.

Blienert's proposal follows previous calls to restrict e-cigarette advertising in a manner similar to that of other tobacco products (such as traditional cigarettes). Blienert stated that, particularly when it comes to protecting minors, it is essential to combat such practices. "Especially when it comes to protecting minors, you really have to crack down on this behavior."

According to a German tobacco use research report, in 2022, 2.5% of individuals aged 14 to 17 used e-cigarettes, while 4% of those aged 18 to 24 and 1.6% of those over 25 used them.