Brussels, 30/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - After extensive consultation, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a Council Recommendation on Tuesday 30 June, calling on all member states to bring in laws to protect their citizens from exposure to tobacco smoke by 2012. Addressing press, European Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said that it was her firm belief that each and every European should be given full protection from tobacco smoke. Tobacco remains the largest single cause of premature death and disease in the European Union. In the EU25 in 2002, 79,000 adults, including 19,000 non-smokers, died as a result of exposure to tobacco smoke at home (72,000) and in their workplace (7,300), according to conservative estimates.
The recommendations put to member states for adoption call for action to: - adopt and implement laws to fully protect citizens from exposure to tobacco smoke in enclosed public places, workplaces and public transport as provided for in Article 8 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco control, within three years of the adoption of the recommendation; - enhance smoke-free laws with supporting measures, such as protecting children, encouraging people to give up tobacco use and pictorial warnings on tobacco packages; - improve cooperation at EU level by setting up a network of national anti-smoking centres.
All member states have some form of regulation to limit exposure to second-hand smoke and its harmful effects on health. However, the scope and character of these regulations vary, the Commission says. So far, ten EU member states provide for comprehensive protection from exposure to tobacco smoke. Total bans on smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces, including bars and restaurants, are in place in Ireland and in the UK. A similar ban is due to come into force in Bulgaria in June 2010. Italy, Malta, Sweden, Latvia, Finland, Slovenia, France and the Netherlands have introduced smoke-free legislation, allowing for special enclosed smoking rooms. However, in the remaining member states, citizens and workers are still not fully protected from exposure to tobacco smoke in indoor workplaces and public places.
The full text of the recommendation presented on Tuesday can be found at: http: //ec.europa.eu/health/ph_determinants/life_style/Tobacco/smoke_free_en.htm (O.L./transl.rt)