Retail and tobacco industry fear strict anti-smoking laws

A new proposal by Dutch State Secretary for Health Paul Blokhuis describes a package of far-reaching anti-smoking measures. Blokhuis and anti-smoking pressure groups want to create a completely smoke-free generation, with major consequences for smokers and businesses.

Neutral packaging, bans and taxes

Starting in 2020, cigarettes must be packaged completely neutrally, with a complete ban on displaying of and advertisements for tobacco products even in specialised stores beginning in 2021, says Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. Municipalities must support initiatives that promote a smoke-free society and may refuse subsidies to institutions where people smoke.

Smoking bans are to be introduced almost everywhere: in health care, government agencies, the catering industry, playgrounds and sports grounds. All companies must be smoke-free in the long term: even special smoking areas or outdoor smoking will no longer be allowed. The smoking ban applies to all tobacco products, e-cigarettes, water pipes and shisha pens, herbal mixtures and related products.

The price of a packet of cigarettes will rise sharply from next year, to ten euros for a package. So many people should quit smoking that in twenty years’ time young people will not even know what a cigarette is, Blokhuis hopes.

What about business?

The sale of tobacco generates a huge turnover, so often supermarkets find that they can not just stop selling: it would cost them on average 5 to 8 % of their turnover. Albert Heijn and Jumbo consider this decision to be the customer’s own responsibility and point out that tobacco is perfectly legal (for now?). A whole dfferent reaction came at Lidl, which decided in May not to sell tobacco anymore.

The tobacco industry was not allowed to participate in the negotiations, and did not respond with delight to the concept: they blame the government for far-reaching interference in the private lives of adult smokers. One measure got their particular attention: “E-cigarettes are also banned, while the British health council is using this tool to help smokers stop,” says Jan Hein Sträter, director of branch organization VSK.;

At the moment, some three million Dutch people smoke (about a quarter of the population). With the plan Blokhuis wants to go to 5 % smokers at most.