Smokers in Northern Ireland must not be ‘discriminated against”

Campaigners have responded with anger to reports that an EU ban on flavoured heated tobacco products might be imposed on Northern Ireland as well because of Protocol rules.

Simon Clark, director of the smokers’ group Forest, said, “Smokers in Northern Ireland must not be discriminated against. If flavoured heated tobacco products are available in the rest of the UK, smokers in Northern Ireland must have that choice too.

“A ban would be a gross over-reaction by the EU and a blow to many consumers across Europe who want to quit smoking by switching to a reduced risk product that is as enjoyable to some as traditional cigarettes.”

He added, “The available evidence suggests that heated tobacco falls between combustible tobacco and e-cigarettes in terms of risk so banning a product that is less harmful than traditional cigarettes would be madness and counter-productive as a public health measure.”