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How Slovenia banned flavours in e-cigarettes with the support of foreign NGOs (recognized by WHO in 2024)
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Slovenian Coalition for Public Health, Environment and Tobacco Control, Maribor, Slovenia
Publication date: 2024-10-17
Tob. Prev. Cessation 2024;10(Supplement 1):A69
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ABSTRACT
In March 2024, changes to the tobacco legislation were officially approved in Slovenia. These changes are in accordance with the Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2022/2100. The most significant achievements of the amended legislation are the ban on all flavors (except the tobacco flavor) in e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products and the shortening of the transition period of the smoking rooms ban. Slovenian NGOs had an important role in achieving this success. Slovenian NGOs cooperated constructively in the public consultation, gave our suggestions, and supported the proposal for amendments. NGOs also worked with public health institutions to influence the decision-makers and convince the public to support health for all. In order to gain support from the Slovenian decision-makers, the Slovenian Coalition for Public Health, Environment, and Tobacco Control prepared several Letters of Support addressed to the decision-makers. We sent the letters to foreign NGOs in tobacco control, where we are active members (ENSP, EPHA, SFP). We asked them to forward the letters to their members and ask them to sign the letters and send them to the Slovenian decision-makers. This proved to be successful. A network of NGOs that help each other is extremely important in achieving change in any field. Slovenia’s success in achieving changes to the tobacco legislation can serve as a model of good practice to other countries which have yet to achieve the same, and anyone who wants to achieve changes in their respective field. We hope that the Slovenian model of good practice can help other countries to follow Slovenia’s path. This successful story will also be featured in the upcoming WHO/Europe Country Impact Report, launched at the 74th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe between 29th and 31st October 2024.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The author has no conflicts of interest to declare.
FUNDING
Funding is not provided.