A Tobacco Products Directive for increased protection of public health, especially that of minors

Currently, 28% of EU citizens are smokers. Since the entry-into-force of the old Tobacco Products Directive (2001/37/EC) in 2001, tobacco use has been decreasing in Europe. However, tobacco consumption is still an important health issue: tobacco use is still the largest avoidable cause of death for EU citizens. 700 000 people in the European Union die every year due to tobacco-related diseases. That means 2000 deaths every day, 80 per hour and one person dying every 45 seconds.

As a Member of the European Parliament, I have been involved in tobacco policy for years and have always fought for increased health protection, the protection of minors and protection from passive smoking.

Objectives of the new proposals

Apart from the harmonisation of laws and regulations in the Member States and the removal of barriers in the internal market, the main objective of the European Commission's proposal on the Tobacco Products Directive is to prevent young people from starting to smoke. It is the EU's responsibility and duty to protect our children from the harmful effects of smoking. The European Commission's proposal includes measures that aim to make tobacco products less appealing, especially to young people.

Unfortunately, many young people are attracted to smoking and start at a very early age. 8 out of 10 smokers start before 19 and 94% before the age of 25 years.

Why do we need the new Directive?

The European Commission's proposal responds to new scientific evidence and international developments such as the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The old Directive was adopted in 2001; since then a lot of new tobacco products or related products have been put on the market. Also, the European Parliament has requested a revision of the Directive on several occasions, as when they adopted a resolution 'Towards a Europe free from tobacco smoke: policy options at EU level'.

Key elements of the European Commission's proposal include:

• A ban on tobacco products with characterising flavours, e.g. menthol or vanilla. Tobacco should taste like tobacco. An exception for pipe tobacco, cigars and cigarillos is foreseen.
• A ban on additives associated with energy and vitality (e.g. caffeine) or creating the impression that products are less harmful than others - or even have a health benefit.
• The introduction of mandatory combined health warnings (picture plus text) that cover 75 % of the front and back side of cigarette and roll-your-own packages. Pictorial warnings are said to be more effective than text warnings and are targeted, above all, at young people.
• A ban on slim cigarettes. The consumption of slim cigarettes has significantly increased during the last years. Studies show that they are marketed to young women and that people falsely believe that they are less harmful than normal cigarettes.
• A continued ban of snus outside Sweden.
• An authorisation for products containing nicotine under the pharmaceutical regulation, if the amount of nicotine is above certain limits.

What next?

The debates in the Committee for Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) of the European Parliamentstarted with a public hearing on Monday 25 February. The proposals will eventually go to vote in the Committee, before being adopted by all MEPs in plenary.

I will support a Directive that is satisfactory and proportionate with a view to protecting public health and especially the health of minors.