To mark World Cancer Day (4 February), on Thursday 12 February the European Parliament will be voting on a joint resolution by several political groups calling for measures to speed up the implementation of the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan (see EUROPE 13801/9).
On Tuesday 10 February, no agreement had yet been reached on a joint draft resolution, with each group proposing its own version (https://aeur.eu/f/knu ). The S&D, Greens/EFA, The Left and Renew Europe groups are more ambitious on the measures to be taken to limit the risk of cancer.
MEPs are divided on the measures to be taken to limit alcohol consumption and ban electronic cigarettes and spurious alternatives to tobacco.
On Monday 9 February, Tomislav Sokol (EPP, Croatian) called for increased funding, a reduction in inequalities in access to treatment and combatting discrimination against survivors.
Christophe Clergeau (S&D, French) referred to environmental causes and the exposome, and called on the right-wing political groups to dare to stand up to the tobacco lobbies, “so that legislation on tobacco, electronic cigarettes and spurious alternatives to tobacco will very soon reach this Chamber”.
According to Stine Bosse (Renew Europe, Danish), “We need rigorous action against tobacco, electronic cigarettes, ultra-processed foods and harmful alcohol consumption”.
Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in Europe, with 2.7 million new cases each year, of which at least 40% could be avoided through prevention. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)