Brussels – “Tobacco-free generation” goal of\u00a02040 and more smoking-free spaces. Also for e-cigarettes and heated tobacco devices. These are the pillars of the revised EU guidelines regarding smoke-free environments, dated 2009, presented today (Sept. 17) by the European Commission.<\/p>\n
Having a smoke-free generation is the main goal of the European Cancer Plan<\/a>, lowering the percentage of users from about 25 per cent today down to five\u00a0per cent. Today’s proposal is another step forward in efforts to improve preventive health care, with the goal of de-normalizing tobacco use<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The new initiative<\/a> recommends that member states amplify policies for smoke-free environments<\/strong> “to major outdoor areas<\/strong>,” with the key aim of “protecting people in the EU better, especially children and young people<\/strong>.” Examples include areas where children may congregate, such as public and amusement parks, outdoor areas connected to educational or health facilities, public buildings, and transportation stops and stations.<\/p>\n The review is also related to the massive diffusion of new products<\/strong>, such as heated tobacco devices<\/strong> and electronic cigarettes<\/strong>, the consumption of which is greatly affecting young people. The effects, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), are just as harmful to health as “traditional” products, both for direct users and those exposed to secondhand smoke.<\/p>\n The current Council Recommendation on Smoke-Free Environments of 2009 contains guidance for member states to implement the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)<\/strong>.\u00a0It\u00a0includes “traditional tobacco products<\/strong>, perceived as the main problem at the time, and some public spaces<\/strong>, covered on the basis of a case-by-case risk assessment.” It was therefore necessary to revise the text of the recommendation<\/strong>, which is now outdated with respect to the latest market developments and less effective in contributing to reducing tobacco use.<\/p>\n Tobacco is a highly harmful product<\/strong> and is the leading cause of cancers, as well as heart and respiratory problems. The “new<\/strong> tobacco<\/strong>”\u00a0is no less<\/strong>. Through WHO studies, it has been shown that “exposure to secondhand emissions from heated tobacco products is associated with significant respiratory and cardiovascular abnormalities,” in addition to exposure to quantifiable levels of particulate<\/a> and key toxic substances and contaminants.<\/p>\n The\u00a0Commission,<\/strong>\u00a0in\u00a02022<\/strong>, for this purpose, adopted a\u00a0ban on heated tobacco flavours<\/strong>\u00a0and introduced mandatory labelling requirements with a view to de-normalizing tobacco consumption.<\/span>\u00a0Also\u00a0under review is the legislative framework regarding tobacco control<\/strong>, including<\/span>\u00a0the Tobacco Products Directive, Tobacco Advertising Directive, and other related tobacco control policies across the EU. It is also important for the Commission to “encourage the exchange of best practices<\/strong>” among Member States<\/strong> to have ambitious and efficient programming.<\/p>\n