In its 22nd plenary meeting on 6 February 2008 the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) adopted its opinion on smokeless tobacco products, concluding that they are addictive and hazardous to health. Furthermore, the Committee examined the role of these products in smoking initiation and cessation, as well as the possibility to extrapolate the experience and use patterns from countries permitting the use of oral tobacco to other EU Member States, where this use is currently banned. According to the opinion, which was published on 18 February 2008 after a public consultation, smokeless tobacco is addictive and withdrawal symptoms are broadly similar to those seen in smokers. Smokeless tobacco products contain various levels of toxic substances and these products are carcinogenic to humans. The Committee also stated that on the available evidence it is not possible to draw conclusions as to the relative effectiveness of smokeless tobacco as an aid to smoking cessation in comparison with established therapies.

The European Commission DG Taxation and Customs Union has requested comments on the Consultation Paper on the structure and rates of excise duty applied on cigarettes and other manufactured tobacco by 1 July 2007.

A joint ECL/ENSP contribution was made on 25 June 2007.

The Television without Frontiers Directive intends to revise the advertising framework and comply with technological developments, i.a. Hence, there is a provision of measures on advertising of tobacco, alcohol, medicinal products, as well as regarding the protection of minors. All forms of advertising and teleshopping for cigarettes and tobacco products are prohibited. However, product placement is allowed provided that the broadcaster clearly indicates at the start of the programme that viewers are likely to watch product placements.