Across the world availability of flavour accessories for tobacco products
Havermans, Anne Pauwels, Charlotte GGM Bakker-'t Hart, Ingrid ME Fayokun, Ranti van Nierop, Lotte E Hellmich, Ina M Talhout, Reinskje
Havermans, Anne
Pauwels, Charlotte GGM
Bakker-'t Hart, Ingrid ME
Fayokun, Ranti
van Nierop, Lotte E
Hellmich, Ina M
Talhout, Reinskje
Series / Report no.
Open Access
Type
Journal Article
Article
Article
Language
en
Date
2025-07-31
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Title
Across the world availability of flavour accessories for tobacco products
Translated Title
Published in
Tob Control 2025; 34(4):532-538
Abstract
This study aimed to provide an inventory of different types of flavour accessories for combustible tobacco products in eight countries varying in their approaches to flavour legislation and cultural aspects, including tobacco use.
A standardised search protocol was developed and shared with local informants to acquire information on the availability and marketing of flavour accessories in web shops accessible from Brazil, India, Italy, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, the UK and the USA. Characteristics of the products and web shops were reported, and flavours were categorised in a flavour wheel.
Flavour accessories were available in all participating countries. Reported types are flavour capsules, cards, filter tips and tubes for make-your-own cigarettes, drops, sprays, rolling paper, aroma markers, a flavour stone and a flavour powder. In total, 118 unique flavours were reported, which were mostly fruity and sweet. Marketing of these products was often associated with (menthol) flavour bans.
The wide availability and variety of flavour accessories raise significant public health concerns, as they have attractive flavours, and thus hinder the regulatory aim of flavour bans. Flavour accessories are not tobacco products and thus not regulated as such. Therefore, it is recommended that policymakers include these products in comprehensive flavour bans, to close this loophole in existing tobacco control measures.
A standardised search protocol was developed and shared with local informants to acquire information on the availability and marketing of flavour accessories in web shops accessible from Brazil, India, Italy, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, the UK and the USA. Characteristics of the products and web shops were reported, and flavours were categorised in a flavour wheel.
Flavour accessories were available in all participating countries. Reported types are flavour capsules, cards, filter tips and tubes for make-your-own cigarettes, drops, sprays, rolling paper, aroma markers, a flavour stone and a flavour powder. In total, 118 unique flavours were reported, which were mostly fruity and sweet. Marketing of these products was often associated with (menthol) flavour bans.
The wide availability and variety of flavour accessories raise significant public health concerns, as they have attractive flavours, and thus hinder the regulatory aim of flavour bans. Flavour accessories are not tobacco products and thus not regulated as such. Therefore, it is recommended that policymakers include these products in comprehensive flavour bans, to close this loophole in existing tobacco control measures.