Flavours in tobacco, nicotine and related products enhance attractiveness and appeal, especially to young people, contributing to experimentation, initiation and sustained tobacco and nicotine use. Flavours are present in all tobacco, nicotine and related product categories and are marketed aggressively, especially to children and young people. Flavours in these products also make it more difficult for users to quit. Further, flavours in tobacco, nicotine and related products have not been shown to be safe when inhaled and can have direct toxic effects and indirect adverse effects.

Creating public awareness about the impact of flavours is key to protecting current and future generations from tobacco- and nicotine-related dangers. This information sheet ‘The role of flavours in increasing the appeal of tobacco, nicotine and related products’ is intended for a wide range of audiences, including the public, but with a focus on regulators to guide the development, adoption, implementation and enforcement of strong measures that would make tobacco, nicotine and related products less attractive and appealing, especially to children and young people. 

Information sheet: Manipulation and marketing strategies used by tobacco and nicotine industries to promote their products.

Information sheet: Understanding the design features of tobacco, nicotine and related products and their possible effects.