News | RIVM

RIVM publishes new data from manufacturers on tobacco products

On behalf of the Dutch Ministry of VWS (Health, Welfare and Sport), RIVM has published new data on tobacco products. For the first time, these data include the ingredients of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and herbal smoking products.

Darker cigarettes and other measures to make cigarettes less appealing

There are a number of measures that can be implemented to make cigarettes less appealing and less addictive. For example, manufacturers could make cigarettes a darker colour. They could also stop using ingredients like sugars and flavourings.

RIVM prepares a recommended list of banned substances in tobacco products and e-cigarettes

The goal of the European Tobacco Products Directive is to make tobacco products and e-cigarettes less harmful, addictive and attractive. The directive does not specifically state which substances are not allowed in tobacco products and e-cigarettes.

Dutch people eat more healthy foods: more plant products, less red and processed meat

Dutch people are eating and drinking more healthily. We know this because of RIVM’s new Dutch National Food Consumption Survey (Voedselconsumptiepeiling, VCP). Dutch people are eating more plant products, like fruit and vegetables, unsalted nuts and legumes.

RIVM: seven e-cigarette flavourings with tobacco-taste pose health risk

The Dutch government only wants to allow 23 e-cigarette flavourings with a tobacco-taste. RIVM examined whether these 23 flavourings are harmful to people’s health.

Awareness and use of cigarillos, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches relatively low

The awareness and use of cigarillos, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches is relatively low. This is apparent from research by RIVM among Dutch people aged 13 and older, commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.

RIVM recommends limiting number of e-cigarettes flavourings to 23 with tobacco taste only

The government wishes to make e-cigarettes less attractive, in particular for young people.

Menthol facilitates inhalation of tobacco smoke, even when you cannot taste it

Even when menthol cannot be tasted, the substance makes it easier to inhale tobacco smoke. This way, menthol makes smoking more attractive for young and novice smokers who are not yet used to inhaling sharp, pungent tobacco smoke.

COVID-19 consequences impact vulnerable groups more in the long term

The effects of the corona crisis have a greater impact on vulnerable groups in society, such as lower-educated adults, young people, the elderly and people with underlying health problems.

How to distinguish a dual user from an exclusive e-cigarette user

RIVM and Maastricht University have identified a combination of factors that can be used to distinguish between exclusive e-cigarette users (vapers) on the one hand and people who smoke both regula