Brussels, 17/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - Further to the resignation of John Dalli from his post as Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, which was called into question in an investigation of the European Anti-Fraud Office OLAF (see EUROPE 10711), the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) calls upon the European Commission immediately to continue the revision of the directive on tobacco products (see other article). The Alliance also spoke out against the pressure brought to bear by the tobacco industry to weaken the future directive in terms of public health protection and in general calls for greater transparency in lobbyists' practices.
The secretary general of the EPHA, Monika Kosinska, said that “Commissioner Dalli's resignation shows how powerful the tobacco industry can be in influencing and undermining decision-makers that are trying to support public health measures. This also shows that lobbying practices in Brussels need to be much more regulated with increased transparency and a strong role for watchdogs on the decision-making process”. EPHA argues that Commissioner Dalli's resignation must under no circumstances play into the hands of the tobacco industry, which had been hoping to block the revision process of the directive. “We trust that the European Commission and Member States will fulfil their duty as representatives of the public interest, acting for the health of their citizens and will not delay the adoption of the Directive. A strong Directive is the only response the European Commission can give to the OLAF investigation - showing that despite influences, it acts to protect, and on behalf of its citizens”, said Konsinska. When asked on Tuesday about the possible repercussions of Dalli's resignation on the process of revising the directive, a European Commission spokesperson, Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen, said that the work was at an advanced stage, but that it would be necessary to wait for the appointment of the new Commissioner in order for the process to continue. Next Monday 22 October, an inter-services meeting was scheduled to return its opinion, but this will be postponed pending the new Commissioner taking up his or her duties, which will not take long according to Ahrenkilde Hansen. (IL/transl.fl)