07/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - On 30 November, the Council adopted a recommendation calling on member states to take legal action to protect their citizens against exposure to tobacco smoke in indoor workplaces, indoor public places, public transport and, if appropriate, other public places by 2012. Member states are also advised to strengthen measures to reduce children's and adolescents' exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke. These key elements of a smoke-free policy should be complemented by the adoption of supporting measures, such as measures to encourage people to stop smoking, the use of colour photos as health warnings, and information on services to help quit smoking to be carried on cigarette and tobacco packets. According to conservative estimates, in the EU in 2002, 79,300 adults, including 19,200 non-smokers, died as a result of environmental tobacco smoke exposure at home (72,000) and at work (7,300). (O.J./transl.rt)