Cancer

[Press release] EU Health Ministers need to agree on strong tobacco policy and stop 650,000 Europeans from dying each year

20 June 2013, Brussels - Europe pays a hefty price for its slow action on tobacco, both in economic costs and harm to its citizens’ health and well-being (1). Tomorrow, EU Health Ministers will meet to agree a common position on the revised, smarter Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) (2) “A majority of Europeans support tobacco control policies (3). They deserve a strong commitment both from the EU Health Ministers and the outgoing and upcoming rotating presidencies of the EU - (...)

EPHA and Public Health NGOs call for an updated EU Tobacco Products Directive

On 18 June EPHA, together with eight public health organisations, co-signed a public statement on the proposal for a revision of the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). The signatories urge European leaders to ensure that the TPD is speedily reviewed and updated. The letter reads as follows: As representatives of leading health, medical and non-governmental organisations we urge European leaders to ensure that the EU’s Tobacco Products Directive is speedily reviewed and updated. (...)

Spirometry day - EU Commissioner for health supports lung testing

June 10, 2013 -The European COPD Coalition organised a free spirometry test (lung capacity assessment) on 10 June at the European Commission, Berlaymont Building. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease also known as COPD is a lung and airways disease that is treatable but not curable. It is a deadly Chronic Disease that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Up to 10% of Europeans are affected by COPD and 200 000 to 300 000 people in Europe die of it every year. In order to highlight (...)

[EPT] Tobacco - Directive (Revision) - European Commission Proposal Revision of The Tobacco Products Directive (10 June 2013)

European Commission Proposal Revision of The Tobacco Products Directive. The Tobacco Products Directive (2001/37/EC) regulates the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products in the EU 27 Member States. This notably covers the use of health warnings on packs, the prohibition of descriptions such as ’mild’ or ’light’, the maximum tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide yields, and the prohibition of the sale of tobacco for oral use. In February 2012, the (...)

[EPHA media reaction] Ireland’s move to implement tobacco plain packaging must resonate in Brussels

Brussels, 28 May 2013 – Today, the Irish government has approved, with not a single vote against, the drafting of legislation for generic packaging for tobacco. The legislation will be drafted by the autumn and is expected to come into force by early next year. Ireland will become the first EU Member State, and the second country in the world after Australia, to remove branding from tobacco product packaging (1). “There is a strong body of evidence (2), backed by wide popular (...)

Health improves unequally within and among European countries

Every three years the World Health Organisation (WHO) publishes its report on European Health. This year its report has a special focus on well-being. "The European Health Report 2012: Charting the Way to Well-Being", released by the WHO Regional Office for Europe on March 13, reveals some bitter-sweet data: even if there have been important health improvements in the European Region, the inequities across and within the countries are persistent. According to the WHO Regional Director for (...)

Women and cervical cancer in the EU

On the occasion of the European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, the European Institute of Women’s Health (EIWH), an EPHA member, presented its policy brief "Women and cervical cancer in the EU: promoting cervical cancer prevention" emphasising the need to reach a consensus across the European Union to put an end to the existing disparities between Member States. With 31 300 women developing the disease and 13 600 dying of it every year in the EU, cervical cancer remains the second (...)

[Lunch debate] The Battle against Tobacco, Cancer and Heart Disease, Feb. 19, European Parliament (Brussels)

The battle against tobacco, cancer and heart disease - Tuesday, 19 February 2013, 12:00-15:00. Jointly organised by the European Parliament MEP Heart Group and MAC (MEP Against Cancer). [Press Statement] In the fight against Tobacco, Cancer & Heart Disease, the new Tobacco Directive is a battle that cannot be lost. Programme - The Battle against tobacco, cancer and heart disease. February 19th – EP (Brussels) Report - The Battle against tobacco, cancer and heart disease The (...)

[Joint Press Release] Tobacco Products Directive very unlikely to increase illicit trade

On 22 January, in Brussels, tobacconists and newsagents demonstrated to express their opposition to the draft Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). They claim that, if adopted, the text will increase counterfeiting and the parallel market (1). Experience has proven that illicit trade of cigarettes is prompted by supply and price rather than by the packaging of the product. Tobacconists state that the directive provisions on 75% coverage of health for cigarette packs will make them “quasi (...)

[Press Release] The revised Tobacco Directive - the beginning of the end of tobacco industry led policy-making?

19 December, Brussels – EPHA welcomes today’s release of the revised Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) by Health Commissioner Borg. With stronger measures on e-cigarettes, tobacco flavouring and the shape of cigarettes and packs, this proposal is good news for the further protection of people’s health across Europe. Among other proposals, the Directive recommends pictorial health warnings that cover 75% of cigarette packs. Whilst it is to be applauded as a great move to (...)