EU Commission Supports Stricter Smoke-Free Environment Rules

Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Commission has expressed support for the EU Council’s Recommendation on stronger measures for smoke-free environments.

The EU Commission has endorsed the adoption by the EU Council of the revision of the Council’s Recommendation on smoke-free environments. The modified Recommendation seeks to better protect people, particularly children, from second-hand smoke and aerosols. It also aims to de-normalise and prevent the use of tobacco and emerging products, particularly among younger people, and battle against nicotine addiction.

According to the EU Commission, tobacco and nicotine consumption is the biggest avoidable health threat and the most influential cause of premature death in the EU. The EU Commission states that it will support Member States in the enactment of the Recommendation, including with EU funding from the EU4Health agenda.

How does the recommendation address emerging tobacco products?

The modified Recommendation calls on Member States to develop smoke-free environment policies in key outdoor locations, such as public playgrounds, outside places of healthcare and education premises, public buildings and transport areas.

The Recommendation has also a special focus on better protecting children and young people from the negative impacts of second-hand smoke. The Recommendation observes and builds on national-level measures some Member States have already taken, such as developing smoke-free guidelines in educational facilities and the inclusion of occurring products in existing smoking bans.

Moreover, the World Health Organization has clearly said that there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke and delineates that exposure to second-hand aerosols of occurring products such as electronic cigarettes and wild tobacco products can potentially result in considerable respiratory and cardiovascular issues.