THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH PROPOSES TO PROHIBIT FLAVORS IN CIGARETTES

The Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation announced its intention to reduce the number of smokers from 29% (as of the end of 2018) to 21% by 2035. The department is sure that not everyone will be willing to smoke cigarettes without flavors.

To achieve this goal, a number of proposals and prohibitions that will affect the manufacturers of tobacco products have already been developed. In particular, an initiative to stop adding food additives into the cigarettes was announced by the representatives of the ministry. At the same time, the prohibition may affect not only the flavors themselves, but also the components of cigarettes necessary for their production. For example, glycerin, which is also a food additive, is needed in the process of shredding a tobacco leaf to reduce dust and retain moisture.

In addition, the use of food additives is widely used for the flavor softening purposes.

In case of a refusal of flavors, many varieties of tobacco will become unpleasant to smoke, which may affect the purchasing power of cigarettes.

Commenting on the situation, the manufacturers of tobacco products expressed concern about a need to change technological processes of production, which will ultimately lead to considerable costs.