Austria’s Tobacco Industry at a Crossroads: The Call for Nicotine Law Reform

According to an ORF report on December 26, while the number of smokers in Austria is decreasing, the use of new tobacco products such as nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes is on the rise. Otmar Schwarzenbohler, the president of the Lower Austrian Tobacconists’ Association, said that young people have switched from cigarettes to new tobacco products, so these products should also be sold in tobacco shops.

Currently, out of more than 4,500 tobacco shops in Austria, 1,000 are located in Lower Austria. These shops have a monopoly on the sale of tobacco products, accounting for 70% of their business. However, new tobacco products are not within the scope of this monopoly. The president criticized the idea that “these products are currently sold in vending machines along with candies, sodas, etc.”

Schwarzenbohler demands that all nicotine products can only be sold in tobacco shops in the future. He pointed out that the existing tobacco law is 240 years old and needs to be transformed into a nicotine law that meets the needs of the times. In Austria, tobacco products can only be sold to people over 18 years old, and each state can formulate more regulations through the Youth Protection Law. Tobacco shops have set their own age limit of 18, but the age limit is often ignored in vending machines and some stores.

In addition, he pointed out that without the introduction of a new law, many tobacco shops will face closure. Of the 1,000 tobacco shops in Lower Austria, only 20 may survive in the future. He believes that the existing social programs will also be affected because the vacant shops can only be allocated to people with a disability degree of more than 50%. At present, there are 1,218 disabled people operating tobacco shops in Austria.

Tobacco merchants demand that the new Austrian government include the nicotine law in its policy agenda to ensure the livelihood of many tobacco shop owners.

In conclusion, the situation of Austria’s tobacco industry is at a critical juncture. The decline in the number of smokers and the increase in the use of new tobacco products have brought new challenges and opportunities. The call for reform of the tobacco law is not only to protect the interests of tobacco shop owners but also to better protect the health of minors and adapt to the changing market environment. It remains to be seen whether the new Austrian government will take effective measures to address these issues and promote the healthy development of the tobacco industry and public health.