Opinia merytoryczna i prawna na temat wniosku dotyczącego dyrektywy Parlamentu Europejskiego i Rady w sprawie zbliżenia przepisów ustawowych, wykonawczych i administracyjnych państw członkowskich w sprawie produkcji, prezentowania i sprzedaży wyrobów tytoniowych i powiązanych wyrobów

The authors of the opinion point out that the proposed directive is aimed at the protection of consumer’s health and, as a consequence, the reduction of state budget spending on medical treatment. Nevertheless, the possible imposition of a ban on menthol and slim cigarettes may lead to the weakening of Polish tobacco sector, decrease in tax revenues for the State, withdrawal from farming by some tobacco growers and development of a grey market. In the authors’ view, the draft directive may infringe those provisions which determine the scope of competences transferred to the EU by its member states in the field of health protection. The coming into force of the proposed directive would require amendment of the Act of 9th November 1995 on the protection of health against the consequences of the use of tobacco and tobacco products.