Brussels / Luxembourg, 09/10/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Employment and Social Affairs Ministers (and/or their representatives), who met on 8 October in Luxembourg under the chairmanship of Danish Interior and Health Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen in the presence of Health Commissioner David Byrne, prepared the 5th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB5) of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, to be held in Geneva from 14 to 25 October.
Most of the discussion was on Article 13 of the Convention that covers advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products. There is no agreement on a common position within the Council. Germany is opposed to gradually phasing out tobacco advertising and to the fixing of a buffer date for total elimination of advertising on tobacco products, recalled the spokesperson for the Danish Presidency. According to the spokesperson, the questions raised by the Ministers were: - Will the EU represent, in Geneva, only the position of the fourteen other Member States that are in favour of gradually eliminating tobacco advertising or will it represent the Fourteen on one hand and Germany on the other which could cause a precedent in international discussions?.
The aim of the ministerial session is precisely to "have a mandate to speak with one voice in Geneva", Lars Lokke Rasmussen told the press, saying he was delighted that the EU is "united in its wish to fight tobacco and to ensure that negotiations result in a sound agreement" "We managed to launch a powerful message, whereby there is consensus in the EU to join forces on tobacco control", added the Council President. He went on to remark: "We are in a dynamic process. We have discussed our position with a view to the IBN5, which will be followed by an IBN6 next spring. Later, we shall reach a strong Community position. The EU Presidency will discuss, in Geneva, the points that bring everyone together and we shall take position on advertising".
According to Commissioner David Byrne, the meeting allowed a substantial degree of agreement to be noted on points other than Article 13. He said the Convention Framework on tobacco control is essential for the EU and, if the EU hopes to speak with one voice, it is a good thing. Noting that problems linked to tobacco advertising persist, Mr Byrne trusts an agreement will be reached at the Health Council on this dossier in February 2003. He went on to conclude that they receive regular scientific reports on tobacco and must do their best to set a legislative arsenal in place to control tobacco. He said smoking should be reduced in Europe, but also worldwide.