Retailers Against Smuggling joins European coalition urging EU Commission not to revise tobacco laws

 Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) has joined a coalition of more than 200+ organisations across Europe calling on the European Commission not to proceed with a revision of existing EU tobacco legislation.

In a letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the coalition warns that introducing further restrictions and blanket bans risks damaging legitimate businesses, fuelling illicit trade and undermining public health objectives.

RAS believes the EU should be focused on its bigger economic priorities, rather than introducing another layer of regulation when better enforcement of existing laws is what is needed.

“Europe already has laws in place to address many of the concerns surrounding tobacco products. The priority should be making sure those laws are properly enforced in every Member State, not simply adding more legislation,” said Benny Gilsenan, Retailers Against Smuggling.

“Bluntly banning products will not make the underlying problems disappear. It risks creating new opportunities for criminal operators, expanding the illicit market and making it harder to protect young people. Ultimately, it is legitimate retailers and communities that lose out.”

“If the Commission does decide to pursue changes, it must properly consult all affected stakeholders, including the retailers and businesses who understand the realities on the ground and will have to live with the consequences.”

“Public health and a strong European economy should not be competing priorities. We need practical, enforceable policies that tackle the real problems without creating bigger ones.”