Council adopts a Recommendation on smoking prevention

Tobacco is the largest cause of avoidable deaths in the EU, with a person dying every 48 seconds in Europe and over a million deaths per year as a direct or indirect consequence of smoking. In order to combat this burden, the European Commission works with national authorities as well as international organisations.

Today, the European legislation in the field of tobacco rests on two texts: the 2001/37 Directive concerning the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products and the 2003/33 Directive related to the advertisement and sponsorship of tobacco products.

The European Community has also ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the first international public health treaty whose key issues are:
 the influence of tobacco industry on public health policies,
 protection from exposure to tobacco smoke,
 labelling through health warnings,
 a ban of advertisement by 2010,
 the liability of tobacco companies,
 combat illicit trade through a marking of all tobacco packages,
 information on the ingredients used in tobacco products,
 the impact of taxation on public health.

The adoption of this Recommendation will help fight against tobacco exposure in the EU. Within three years of being adopted, the Recommendation allows for laws to be implemented to protect people living in Europe from exposure to tobacco smoke in indoor public places, workplaces and public transport.

The Recommendation calls for existing smoke-free laws to be enhanced with supporting measures, such as, protecting children, promoting efforts to stop tobacco use and warning labels with pictures. Finally, cooperation at the EU level will be strengthened through the creation of a network of national focal points for tobacco control.

Additionally, special attention is given to plain packaging, and its impact will be analyzed. Due to the attractiveness of tobacco packaging and its direct impact on consumption, EPHA members support this action.

For more information:
 DG SANCO Website on tobacco policy

 Council of the European Union Press Release

 For background information on the negociations in the Parliament and the Council please read a Smoke Free Partnership article.

EPHA related articles:
 EPHA position environmental smoke at the workplace
 Tobacco Free Europe campaign launched