In the run-up to World No Tobacco Day 2024 on Friday 31 May, European organisations of scientists, health professionals and civil society called on the European Union on Thursday 30 May to put an end to smoking.
The European Respiratory Society, the European Cancer Organisation, the European Society of Medical Oncology and the European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention are calling on the next European Commission 2024-2029 to take a series of measures against tobacco consumption. These include:
- ensuring that the update of the Council Recommendations on smoke- and aerosol-free environments is included in the Commission’s work programme;
- bringing the taxation of new tobacco and nicotine products into line with that of cigarettes and increasing the minimum tax rates on cigarettes and fine-cut tobacco;
- banning flavourings in tobacco and vaping products and banning flavouring accessories and additives;
- introducing an annual public monitoring mechanism for tobacco control policies to ensure a tobacco-free generation by 2040. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)