Circumventing cigarette regulation: Product characteristics of cigarette-like cigarillos on the Dutch market
Introduction Cigarillos have been reported to provide an alternative to cigarettes with a characterizing flavor, which are banned in the European Union. Additionally, they are cheaper than cigarettes. To better inform policy making, we wanted to gain better insight into the market situation for ciga...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
European Publishing
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Tobacco Induced Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tobaccoinduceddiseases.org/Circumventing-cigarette-regulation-Product-characteristics-of-ncigarette-like-cigarillos,167476,0,2.html |
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| _version_ | 1832587232040452096 |
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| author | Jeroen L. A. Pennings Charlotte G. G. M. Pauwels Erna Schenk Reinskje Talhout |
| author_facet | Jeroen L. A. Pennings Charlotte G. G. M. Pauwels Erna Schenk Reinskje Talhout |
| author_sort | Jeroen L. A. Pennings |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction
Cigarillos have been reported to provide an alternative to cigarettes
with a characterizing flavor, which are banned in the European Union.
Additionally, they are cheaper than cigarettes. To better inform policy making,
we wanted to gain better insight into the market situation for cigarillos in the
Netherlands.
Methods
We analyzed product data notified by manufacturers via the European
Common Entry Gate system (EU-CEG), as extracted on the 1 June 2022. First, we
identified parameters that allowed classifying cigarillos into cigar-like, cigarettelike
and intermediate-type cigarillos. Next, we compared product characteristics
for these groups.
Results
We identified five parameters that allowed classifying cigarillos into
subtypes: product weight, filter presence, leaf tobacco percentage in the product,
flue-cured tobacco percentage in the product, and the number of flavorings.
Almost a quarter (71/285) of the cigarillos on the Dutch market were classified
as cigarette-like. Compared to other cigarillo types, these have a high number
of flavorings (average n=43), including many sweet and fruity flavorings.
The package types of cigarette-like cigarillos resemble those of cigarettes.
However, 85% of the cigarette-like cigarillos are available in smaller pack sizes
than allowed for cigarettes. When comparing data over the period 2019–2022,
we found a decrease in the number of cigar-like cigarillos and an increase in
the number of cigarette-like cigarillos, which hints at a shift in the market
composition.
Conclusions
Cigarette-like cigarillos can provide a way to evade cigarette regulation.
Moreover, their characteristics make them attractive for consumers, including
young people. Regulators should consider amending regulations to close the
regulatory loopholes that allow evading tobacco legislation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9051ec5a53f54448910e469f1d84c542 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1617-9625 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | European Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Tobacco Induced Diseases |
| spelling | doaj-art-9051ec5a53f54448910e469f1d84c5422025-01-24T15:26:36ZengEuropean PublishingTobacco Induced Diseases1617-96252023-07-0121July11110.18332/tid/167476167476Circumventing cigarette regulation: Product characteristics of cigarette-like cigarillos on the Dutch marketJeroen L. A. Pennings0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9188-6358Charlotte G. G. M. Pauwels1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6727-0804Erna Schenk2Reinskje Talhout3Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The NetherlandsCentre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The NetherlandsCentre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The NetherlandsCentre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The NetherlandsIntroduction Cigarillos have been reported to provide an alternative to cigarettes with a characterizing flavor, which are banned in the European Union. Additionally, they are cheaper than cigarettes. To better inform policy making, we wanted to gain better insight into the market situation for cigarillos in the Netherlands. Methods We analyzed product data notified by manufacturers via the European Common Entry Gate system (EU-CEG), as extracted on the 1 June 2022. First, we identified parameters that allowed classifying cigarillos into cigar-like, cigarettelike and intermediate-type cigarillos. Next, we compared product characteristics for these groups. Results We identified five parameters that allowed classifying cigarillos into subtypes: product weight, filter presence, leaf tobacco percentage in the product, flue-cured tobacco percentage in the product, and the number of flavorings. Almost a quarter (71/285) of the cigarillos on the Dutch market were classified as cigarette-like. Compared to other cigarillo types, these have a high number of flavorings (average n=43), including many sweet and fruity flavorings. The package types of cigarette-like cigarillos resemble those of cigarettes. However, 85% of the cigarette-like cigarillos are available in smaller pack sizes than allowed for cigarettes. When comparing data over the period 2019–2022, we found a decrease in the number of cigar-like cigarillos and an increase in the number of cigarette-like cigarillos, which hints at a shift in the market composition. Conclusions Cigarette-like cigarillos can provide a way to evade cigarette regulation. Moreover, their characteristics make them attractive for consumers, including young people. Regulators should consider amending regulations to close the regulatory loopholes that allow evading tobacco legislation.https://www.tobaccoinduceddiseases.org/Circumventing-cigarette-regulation-Product-characteristics-of-ncigarette-like-cigarillos,167476,0,2.htmlcigarillosproduct regulationeu-ceg |
| spellingShingle | Jeroen L. A. Pennings Charlotte G. G. M. Pauwels Erna Schenk Reinskje Talhout Circumventing cigarette regulation: Product characteristics of cigarette-like cigarillos on the Dutch market Tobacco Induced Diseases cigarillos product regulation eu-ceg |
| title | Circumventing cigarette regulation: Product characteristics of
cigarette-like cigarillos on the Dutch market |
| title_full | Circumventing cigarette regulation: Product characteristics of
cigarette-like cigarillos on the Dutch market |
| title_fullStr | Circumventing cigarette regulation: Product characteristics of
cigarette-like cigarillos on the Dutch market |
| title_full_unstemmed | Circumventing cigarette regulation: Product characteristics of
cigarette-like cigarillos on the Dutch market |
| title_short | Circumventing cigarette regulation: Product characteristics of
cigarette-like cigarillos on the Dutch market |
| title_sort | circumventing cigarette regulation product characteristics of cigarette like cigarillos on the dutch market |
| topic | cigarillos product regulation eu-ceg |
| url | https://www.tobaccoinduceddiseases.org/Circumventing-cigarette-regulation-Product-characteristics-of-ncigarette-like-cigarillos,167476,0,2.html |
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