promotion

[EPT] Tobacco - Directive (Revision) - European Commission Proposal Revision of The Tobacco Products Directive (3 May 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 (...)

[European Network for Workplace Health Promotion] Guide to good practices on chronically ill employees

The European Network for Workplace Health Promotion (ENWHP) has released its European Guide to Good Practice on chronically ill employees. Chronic illness poses a major challenge for public health - it is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Europe, and has a major impact not only on the life expectancy but also in the years of good health lived. In addition, there is reasonable evidence that chronic disease affects earnings, the ability to work, job turnover and disability. (...)

Unremitting smoking rates among people with mental health conditions in the UK

According to "Smoking and Health", the latest report published by the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, smoking in mental health patients is being neglected by the UK National Health Service, which results in a deterioration of the patients’ quality of life and in a substantial increase of healthcare costs. The joint report produced by the Royal College of Physicians, an EPHA member, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists on Smoking and Mental (...)

EPHA Report on the Impact of the Crisis on the Population Mental Health

Economic crises such as the one Europe has been going through since late 2007 have a considerable impact on the society as a whole. Sky-rocking unemployment, the use and abuse of unhealthy substances, and mental illnesses are just some of the areas EPHA looked at in its just-released "Report on the impact of the crisis on the population mental health". “The economic crisis should not turn into a health crisis”, John Dalli, ex EU Commissioner in charge of health and consumer (...)

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 (...)

[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 (...)

Council conclusions on Healthy Ageing across the Lifecycle

The December meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) adopted a set of conclusions on Healthy Ageing. It asks for a rethink of health systems towards more prevention. The Council also calls for a new Alcohol Strategy, to replace the current mandate which endsed in 2012. Europe’s population is rapidly ageing, which is challenging, among others, pillars of welfare , pensions, and healthcare systemss. The 2012 European Year for active ageing (...)

Nutri-Medias: A new tool empowering young people when facing food industry advertisement

COFACE, the Confederation of Family Organisations in the European Union, recently launched a new education tool in the arena of food and nutrition aimed at emphasising the link between food marketing and advertising. Due to the fact that the majority of studies evaluating the links between food marketing/advertising and young peoples’ behaviours are sponsored, in one way or another, very few of these studies are trustworthy. Yet, these papers do emphasise the impact that advertising (...)

The European Economic and Social Committee publishes its opinion on advertising and children

In September 2012, the European Economic and Social Committee published its opinion on "A framework for advertising aimed at young people and children". Among its main messages, the Report regrets that the current advertising framework is not protective enough and urges the European Commission to consider the adoption of more restrictive measures. Concerned by the rising presence of online media, especially social media and their sometimes intrusive not to say inappropriate actions, the (...)

The European Commission publishes two important reports on alcohol marketing and young people

In November 2012, the European Commission published two important reports following presentation of the preliminary findings during the last meeting of the European Alcohol and Health Forum. The documents bring fresh evidence on young people’s exposure to alcohol marketing, a domain that is currently self-regulated by the alcohol industry themselves. According to the 2010 Eurobarometer study conducted by the European Commission, 77% of respondents, from across the 27 Member States, (...)