European Commission Proposal for a Council Recommendation on smoke-free environments
On 30 June 2009, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a Council Recommendation on smoke-free environments. According to conservative estimates, over 79 000 adults, including 19 000 non-smokers, died in the EU-25 in 2002 due to exposure to tobacco smoke at home (72 000) and in the workplace (7 300).
Currently, ten EU countries have comprehensive smoke-free laws in place. The UK and Ireland have the strictest smoke-free provisions with a complete ban on smoking in enclosed public places, on public transport and in workplaces. Bulgaria is due to follow suit in 2010.
An interactive map, which can be found at the smoke free partnership’s website, provides a detailed overview of smoke-free legislation in EU Member States.
A Eurobarometer survey of March 2009 found that 84% of EU citizens are in favour of smoke-free offices and other indoor workplaces, 77% are in favour of smoke-free restaurants, and 61% support smoke-free bars and pubs.
The proposal for a Council Recommendation adopted by the European Commission calls on Member States to act on three main fronts:
dopt and implement laws to fully protect their citizens from exposure to tobacco smoke in enclosed public places, workplaces and public transport as cited in Article 8 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, within three years of the adoption of the Recommendation;
Enhance smoke-free laws with supporting measures such as protecting children, encouraging efforts to give up tobacco use and pictorial warnings on tobacco packages.
Strengthen cooperation at EU level by setting up a network of national focal points for tobacco control.
Background
Progress has been made towards smoke-free environments in recent years. However, significant differences in the levels of protection from exposure to tobacco smoke persists both between and within Member States. Comprehensive smoke-free policies already in pace in several Member States and outside the European Union have proved to be effective in reducing tobacco-relate burden while not harming the economy. The immediate health effects of smoke-free laws include improved respiratory health of hospitality workers, the most vulnerable occupational group, and reduced incidence of heart attacks in the general population.
At the EU level, the issue of smoke-free environments has so far been addressed in non-binding resolutions and recommendations. The issue has also been addressed to a certain extent in health and safety directives.
At international level, Article 8 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)- ratified so far by 26 Member States and the Community- obliges all Parties to ensure effective protection from exposure to tobacco smoke in indoor workplaces, indoor public places and public transport. The Smoke-free Partnership’s Spotlight on the FCTC highlights how the European Commission, European Parliament and EU Member States have met, or in some cases failed to meet, their obligations to tackle second-hand smoke, according to Article 8 of the convention.
For more information
DG SANCO Smoke-free Environments
European Network for Smoking Prevention
EPHA related articles
Tobacco Free Europe campaign launched
Czech Presidency calls for further discussion on excise duty for tobacco
Spotlight on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
Smokefree Partnership Workshop on Taxation and Illicit Trade of Tobacco Products
Related documents
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