Brussels, 25/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - The draft directive on tobacco products provoked a heated debate between MEPs supporting a stricter proposal and those defending freedom of choice on Monday 25 February, during the first public hearing organised on the subject at the European Parliament's ENVI committee (see EUROPE 10755). One thing is clear, those defending public health are bound to be delighted that the Council debate is being chaired by the Irish minister for health, James Reilly, who has personally declared that he is in favour of strict anti-smoking legislation. Ireland is also a pioneer in anti-smoking restrictions. Commissioner Tonio Borg came to Parliament to argue for the proposal and answer the first salvo of questions. He pointed out that the newly cast directive's main objective was to discourage young people from taking up smoking and he argued that “the taste for tobacco must have the taste of tobacco”.
Promising a tougher approach in her meetings with the tobacco industry, rapporteur Linda McAvan (S&D, United Kingdom) immediately stated that the Commission proposals were good. She promised to carefully scrutinise certain aspects, such as the regulation on electronic cigarettes, flavoured cigarettes and labelling. The shadow rapporteurs also gave their opinions. Karl-Heinz Florenz (EPP, Germany) said that simply keeping to a ban on characteristic flavourings is not enough and that they needed to regulate around 700 chemical substances included in tobacco products. Frédérique Ries (ALDE, Belgium) wants more prevention measures among vulnerable groups. Swedish Green, Carl Schlyter, would like compulsory and not optional, neutral packaging, strict provisions on electronic cigarettes and a ban on advertising at sales outlets. Anna Rosbach (ECR, Denmark) played devil's advocate and asked whether the EU was prepared to sacrifice the huge profits generated by the tobacco industry. Oreste Rossi (ELD, Italy) did not want restrictive legislation on individual freedoms. The MEP said that if they wanted to legislate on tobacco, that they should also do so on alcohol. He also underlined the negative effects that this legislation would provoke, such as an increase in contraband products. Martina Anderson (GUE/NGL, United Kingdom) said that she supported a stronger directive that combined provisions included in the WHO Convention on tackling smoking. The debates will definitely be lively at the Council, where Poland appears to be unenthusiastic about anti-smoking measures, and at the EP, where some MEPs believe that the Commission is not going far enough and others who believe it is too intrusive. (IL/transl.fl)