Ministers plan further restrictions on tobacco sales, smoking zones
The government is planning to impose further restrictions on the sale of cigarettes, and if Undersecretary of Health Maarten van Ooijen gets his way, next year will be the last cigarettes allowed to be sold in supermarkets.
according to TelegraphVan Ooijen aims to have cigarettes sold exclusively in specialty stores within 10 years. Other outlets, such as gas stations, will be able to sell them until 2030, after which they will be phased out.
Smoking is currently banned in schools, cafes and public buildings, but Van Ougen also plans to expand to include playgrounds, playgrounds and other places frequented by children. said the paper.
Telegraaf’s claims are based on government sources.
Other measures are also being discussed to meet the government’s goal of keeping children born in 2040 smoke-free, the paper said.
These include increasing the price of tobacco products and banning water pipes, although no government majority supports such measures.
However, Van Ouyen has commissioned a study into the impact of the large cigarette price hike on cigarette sales, and the study is expected to be completed within a year, sources said.
Cigarette prices are currently around €8.20 and are expected to rise to €10 by 2024.
Ministers are scheduled to discuss smoking strategies next week.
wage
Tobacco prices have risen steadily over the years, but wages have risen as well, meaning that prices for tobacco products have risen only marginally, says Chloe Gevors, a researcher at Maastricht University. said. early this week.
A study published last year by the University of Maastricht showed that the cost of smoking is only a concern for smokers when prices increase 100%. huge amountabout 50% said they would quit at a price of €60 per pack.
Cigarettes currently cost around €24 for a pack of 20 in Australia and will increase by 2% plus inflation in the UK.
About 20% of the Dutch population smokes regularly, but in 2018 the government set a target of 5% smoking by 2040.
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https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2022/11/ministers-plan-more-restrictions-on-tobacco-sales-smoking-zones/ Ministers plan further restrictions on tobacco sales, smoking zones