Is Tobacco with a Characterizing Flavour Banned in Cyprus?

In May 2016, Cyprus banned some characterizing flavoured tobacco products, such as flavoured cigarettes. However, this was not a complete ban on all tobacco products with a characterizing flavour. Heated tobacco products with characterizing flavours were not affected by this legislation.

The EU is enforcing a new directive banning the sale of heated tobacco products with a characterizing flavour. A characterizing flavour is any clearly noticeable taste or smell different from tobacco. To put it into perspective, the rules will ban certain products, such as heated tobacco with characterizing herb or fruit flavours.

When Is Heated Tobacco with a Characterizing Flavour Banned in Cyprus?

The ban on characterizing flavoured heated tobacco will take effect on the 23rd of October 2023 in Cyprus, as well as across the European Union and Northern Ireland.

Purchasing Heated Tobacco with a Characterizing Flavour Outside of Cyprus

For adult users of heated tobacco products with a characterizing flavour who travel, it is possible to purchase characterizing flavoured heated tobacco outside of Cyprus, so long as the product is permitted for sale in that country.

The EU characterizing flavour ban does not prohibit the use of heated tobacco with a characterizing flavour in Cyprus - only the sale of these products. Regardless, adult users should check local regulations before using a characterizing flavoured heated tobacco product. They should also contact their airline or train company before travelling with the product. Transport companies could have individual rules about the transportation of heated tobacco.

Heated tobacco products without characterizing flavours should still be available. The EU motion will not completely ban heated tobacco in Cyprus and will not affect heated tobacco products with tobacco flavour*.

Heated tobacco products are not risk-free and provide nicotine, which is addictive. Smoke-free products are not alternatives to quitting and are not designed as cessation aids. The best decision for any adult smoker is to quit tobacco and nicotine consumption.

* Information correct at time of publication.

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