Brussels, 17/06/2002 (Agence Europe) - On 17 June, the European Commission adopted a draft recommendation on the "Prevention of Smoking and on Initiatives to Improve Tobacco Control", essentially relating to tobacco addiction among the young, and intended to complement existing Community provisions in the matter (the 2001 directive on tobacco products and the directive relating to the advertising of tobacco products). The Commission suggests measures aimed at reducing the supply of tobacco products to children and young adolescents, and in particular: - limiting access to tobacco vending machines and distance sale by the Internet; - removing tobacco products from self service displays; - preventing the sale of cigarettes in (cheaper) packages of fewer than twenty; - requiring vendors of tobacco products to verify that purchasers have reached the age limit set in national law. Furthermore, it urges Member states to ensure that certain forms of advertising and promotion of tobacco products are not targeted at children and adolescents (use of tobacco brand names on non-tobacco merchandises, clothes or services; the distribution of promotional items; the use of outdoor billboards and posters and the use of cinema advertising). The text, which will be presented to the 26 June Health Council also urges Member states to oblige manufacturers of tobacco products to declare how much they spend on advertising, marketing, sponsorship and promotional campaigns, and provide adequate protection against passive smoking in the work place, in public places and in public transport, and step-up tobacco prevention programmes.