Strasbourg, 25/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - By adopting by a crushing majority (402 votes for, 36 against and 21 abstentions) the report by Dutch Liberal, Jules Maaten, the EP has come out in support of a strengthening of the recommendation document, which is expected to be addressed (after its adoption by the Council) by Member States in view of calling on them to take a variety of smoking prevention measures. The measures requested by the Parliament involve: the gradual getting rid of cigarette vending machines; the banning of the manufacture, imports and sales of edible products and toys that come in the shape of tobacco products; the banning of different kinds of advertising (including that in cinemas and on the radio), the sponsoring of events, samples and promotional presents; low cost or free access to programmes that deal with dependency; the development of prevention campaigns; the promotion of alternatives to tobacco cultivation for farmers affected. The EP is also requesting the setting up of a survey, inspection and amendment system on the donations made by the tobacco manufacturing industry to European political groups, MEPs, Commissioners and former members of the Commission (amendment adopted by 229 votes for, 194 against and 32 abstentions). In his report, Mr Maaten points out that, "We are always finding ourselves in a situation that is completely abnormal since on one hand, one policy attempts to discourage consummation of tobacco products and another is of tobacco cultivation continuing to benefit from significant EU subsidies".