An EU ban on smokeless tobacco (snus) is to remain in place under a revised Tobacco Directive announced in Brussels today by EU Health and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Tonio Borg.

The directive will tighten laws on the manufacturing, marketing and sale of tobacco across the 27 EU member states.

The directive, which was the heart of the forced resignation of former EU Commissioner John Dalli, also confirms the ban on the sale of smokeless chewed tobacco – known as snus. The exception for Sweden remains in place.

Mr Dalli resigned amid claims that a long-time friend, Sliema businessman Silvio Zammit, was claiming that he could use his contacts to bring about a lifting of the ban on snus. Mr Dalli denied knowledge of such activities.

Addressing a press conference in Brussels, Commissioner Borg said that the EU had delivered on its promise of launching the directive quickly after his appointment.

“The Commission had promised a proposal on tobacco products by the end of 2012 and that’s what I’m presenting today,” he said.

In what appeared to be a reference to snus, he said: “Consumers must not be cheated and we believe that tobacco products should look and taste like tobacco. This proposal ensures that attractive packaging and flavourings are not used as a marketing strategy.”

The Commission’s proposal, which has to be debated and approved by the European Parliament and member states, bans the use of cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco and smokeless tobacco products which have characterising flavours.

It makes the use of large pictorial health warnings mandatory on cigarette packets.

The proposed directive also regulates cross border internet sale.

New measures are also proposed for products that were not specifically regulated so far, such as e-cigarettes and herbal products for smoking.

Commissioner Borg said that the proposal should be adopted by 2014 the latest.