Today, after extensive consultation, the
European
Commission adopted a proposal for a Council
Recommendation calling on all Member States to bring in
comprehensive smoke-free laws by 2012.
The Recommendation calls on Member States to act in three
main fronts:
- Adopt 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 mandating pictorial warnings on tobacco
packages.
- Strengthen cooperation at EU level by setting up a
network of national focal points for tobacco control.
Tobacco remains the largest single cause of
premature
death and disease in the
European Union. According to conservative
estimates, 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 their workplace (7 300).
Currently, ten EU countries have comprehensive smoke-free
laws in place. 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 introduce such a complete ban in 2010.
A recent
Eurobarometer poll suggests that popularity is
mounting for smoke-free policies with 84% of Europeans
supporting smoke-free offices and other indoor workplaces;
77% in favour of
smoke-free restaurants, and 61% supporting
smoke-free bars and pubs.
More information:
Proposal for a Recommendation
Press release:
Questions
and answers:
Overview of Member States' smoke-free regulations:
Commission calls for a Smoke Free Europe by 2012