Denmark to strengthen the regulation of vape or consider raising prices

According to Danish news media DR.DK, Danish Health Minister Sophie Løhde ) is in discussions with other members of the Ministry of Health to develop preventive measures to deal with the problems of tobacco, nicotine and alcohol in Denmark.

 

“The influx of nicotine products into the market and the increasing use of illegal e-cigarettes among young people is deeply concerning to me.”

 

Cigarette use in Denmark fell from 20.1 percent to 19 percent, while the use of smokeless nicotine products rose from 9.1 percent to 12.9 percent. A recent study found that e-cigarettes and smokeless nicotine products appear to be particularly popular among young people.

 

While the number of 18- to 24-year-olds who smoke has decreased compared to 2020, the number of 15- to 17-year-olds who smoke has increased.

 

Measures could be taken through stricter laws and enforcement, with special action for stores that do not comply with the law, Sophie said.

 

Denmark’s political parties welcomed the move, with Per Larsen, the Conservative Party’s health spokesman, saying:

 

“If there are convenience stores that violate the rules, they must be punished or closed. We cannot tolerate children using things that will make them addicted.”

 

In 2019, the Danish Parliament created a national prevention plan for child and youth smoking, which mandates the use of neutral packaging for cigarettes and bans the use of flavored flavors in tobacco and e-cigarettes.

 

The Danish government also raised cigarette prices to a level of DKK 60 (about $63) per pack, a price adjustment that takes effect in January 2022.

 

Now the Danish government is considering another price adjustment.

 

In response, Peder Hvelplund, health spokesman for the Unity Party, said:

 

“We should do this as part of an overall measure, but price is obviously one of the things we need to discuss.”

 

And Stinus Lindgreen, health spokesman for the Radical Party, said he wants more control on several fronts.

 

“We can’t just do one thing, we have to address the problem on multiple fronts.”

 

He says young people now have too easy access to cigarettes and new nicotine products. The ubiquity of these products in convenience stores, bars and supermarkets has made it the norm and easily accessible to young people.

 

“I would prefer to look at ways to limit its availability; it shouldn’t be as readily available as it is today.”