putting citizens' health at the heart of Europe
Tobacco and Smoking
Tobacco smoking is the major cause of preventable death and disease in developed societies. Over 650.000 Europeans are killed every year because of smoking related diseases, and 13 million more are suffering as a result of their smoking.
Facts and figures:
Tobacco kills 1 in 2 long-term users.
1 in 4 of all deaths from cancer in the EU is caused by smoking.
3 in 10 of all deaths from all respiratory diseases are caused by smoking.
1 in 10 of all deaths from cardiovascular diseases in the EU is caused by smoking.
The ASPECT report puts the annual cost of tobacco related disease in the EU at EUR 100 billion – or 1% of GDP.
Non-smokers also pay for costs of smoking through medical costs related to second-hand tobacco smoke, higher taxes and higher prices for products and services.
Last article modified in this page or in one of the sub-section April 1 2008.
1/04/2008
Consultation meeting on Impact Assessments on Smoke-Free Environments. 19 March 2008
On 19 March the European Commission, DG Health and Consumer Protection (DG Sanco), held a consultation meeting to support the Commission’s Impact Assessment on the forthcoming initiative on smoke-free environments.
The goal of the meeting was to have an open discussion and get the comments of the civil society on the likely health, social and economic impacts of various policy options at EU level.
The agenda discussed was:
Introduction Led by Thea Emmerling, DG Health and Consumer (...)
The goal of the meeting was to have an open discussion and get the comments of the civil society on the likely health, social and economic impacts of various policy options at EU level.
The agenda discussed was:
Introduction Led by Thea Emmerling, DG Health and Consumer (...)
21/02/2008
Smokeless tobacco products are addictive and carcinogenic to humans
The Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIR) has provided evidence on the addictiveness and hazardous impact to health of smokeless tobacco products (STP).
The Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIR) has been asked to evaluate effects of smokeless tobacco products (STP) including tobacco for oral use, chewing tobacco, dry snuff and nasal snuff.
The marketing of tobacco products for oral use is banned in all EU countries (...)
The Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIR) has been asked to evaluate effects of smokeless tobacco products (STP) including tobacco for oral use, chewing tobacco, dry snuff and nasal snuff.
The marketing of tobacco products for oral use is banned in all EU countries (...)
26/02/2008
Commission proposes to continue financing Community Tobacco Fund to pay for awareness-raising on dangers of tobacco
On 4 February 2008, the European Commission proposed to extend the financing of the Community Tobacco Fund for the next two years. In the current funding period, the Fund gave support to the "HELP – for a life without tobacco" campaign.
The Smoke Free Partnership has urged a far more cost effective use of these resources.
Background
The "Community Tobacco Fund" is derived directly from the aid granted for the production of raw tobacco within the framework of the Common Agricultural (...)
The Smoke Free Partnership has urged a far more cost effective use of these resources.
Background
The "Community Tobacco Fund" is derived directly from the aid granted for the production of raw tobacco within the framework of the Common Agricultural (...)
30/11/2007
EU Members States say yes to RIP Cigarettes
On 29 November 2007, the EU RIP Alliance obtained Member State endorsement of mandating cigarette makers to only sell self-extinguishing cigarettes (RIP cigarettes). On behalf of the EU RIP Alliance, Florence Berteletti illustrates with enthusiasm why this is a very significant victory, its details, and what is next to be done.
On 29 November 2007, the EU member states overwhelmingly endorsed the EC plans to draw up proposals for a standard to combat the leading cause of home fire (...)
On 29 November 2007, the EU member states overwhelmingly endorsed the EC plans to draw up proposals for a standard to combat the leading cause of home fire (...)
29/11/2007
*Updated* Towards a Europe free from tobacco smoke - EPHA responds
*UPDATED with European Parliament response*.
On 30 January, 2007, the European Commission issued a public consultation on freeing Europe from environmental tobacco smoke (ETS).
Background
Environmental tobacco smoke is also known as "second-hand smoke" or "passive smoking" and is a known cause of illness and death in the European Union.
The promotion of smoke-free places within Europe began with concern for health and safety at work and has now progressed to country-wide bans on smoking in (...)
On 30 January, 2007, the European Commission issued a public consultation on freeing Europe from environmental tobacco smoke (ETS).
Background
Environmental tobacco smoke is also known as "second-hand smoke" or "passive smoking" and is a known cause of illness and death in the European Union.
The promotion of smoke-free places within Europe began with concern for health and safety at work and has now progressed to country-wide bans on smoking in (...)
30/10/2007
Commission facing compensation claims for second hand smoke death
A European Union Civil Service Tribunal is to hear a claim for compensation from the widow of a Commission official who died of cancer
30/08/2007
Commission continues infringement procedure against Finland over oral tobacco
The European Commission has decided to continue the infringement procedure against Finland due to its non-compliance with the Court judgement that confirmed Finland’s failure to comply with a Directive prohibiting oral tobacco from being placed on the market.
In July 2007, The European Commission sent a Reasoned Opinion to Finland for non-compliance with Article 8 of Directive 2001/37/EC on the manufacture, presentation, and sale of tobacco products.
In addition, the Commission believes (...)
In July 2007, The European Commission sent a Reasoned Opinion to Finland for non-compliance with Article 8 of Directive 2001/37/EC on the manufacture, presentation, and sale of tobacco products.
In addition, the Commission believes (...)
31/07/2007
England’s smoking ban has come into effect
A new smoke-free law entered into force in England on 1 July 2007: it is now prohibited to smoke in virtually all "enclosed" and ’substantially enclosed’ public places and workplaces.
The main aim of the British government is to protect employees and the public from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.
Key points of the new legislation are:
Public transport and work vehicles used by more than one person must be smoke-free at all times.
No-smoking signs must be displayed in all (...)
The main aim of the British government is to protect employees and the public from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.
Key points of the new legislation are:
Public transport and work vehicles used by more than one person must be smoke-free at all times.
No-smoking signs must be displayed in all (...)
31/05/2007
How to help employees to stop smoking?
A recent report by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE): "Workplace Health Promotion: How to help employees to stop smoking”, highlighted the benefits of smoke free workplaces and propose guidances to help employees to stop smoking.
Conservative estimates that 70,000 adults die from passive smoking every year in the EU. And passive smoking in the workplace has been estimated, in the UK alone, to cause the deaths of two people each working day (...)
Conservative estimates that 70,000 adults die from passive smoking every year in the EU. And passive smoking in the workplace has been estimated, in the UK alone, to cause the deaths of two people each working day (...)
30/05/2007
ENSP draws attention to indirect tobacco advertising in films
Three new scientific studies show evidence that smoking in films is linked to the tobacco epidemic. The European Network for Smoking Prevention (ENSP) has decided to raise awareness on the impact of smoking in films, and to advocate measures to reduce substantially the exposure of children and adolescents to smoking in films.
At European level, the legislation (Directive 2003/33/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003) bans direct and indirect tobacco advertising in (...)
At European level, the legislation (Directive 2003/33/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003) bans direct and indirect tobacco advertising in (...)
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