Division in the European Parliament: the failure of a resolution for smoke-free environments

The European Parliament rejected on 28 November 2024 a resolution aimed at strengthening measures against smoking and aerosol-emitting products, such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco. Despite an initial proposal supported by four major political groups – the European People’s Party (EPP), the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), Renew Europe and the Greens/EFA, the text was overwhelmingly rejected with 378 votes against, 152 for and 26 abstentions.[1].

Political division over public health issues

The rejected resolution proposed, among other things, extending smoking bans to outdoor areas and including heated tobacco and e-cigarettes in existing regulations. However, amendments introduced by the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), supported by a majority of the EPP, aimed to differentiate the regulation of e-cigarettes and other heated tobacco products from that of traditional tobacco.

S&D negotiator Alessandra Moretti denounced an "anti-scientific" position from right-wing groups, accusing the EPP of giving in to tobacco industry rhetoric. She stressed the need to protect children and young adults from the dangers of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, which are often wrongly perceived as less harmful.[2].

The challenges of aerosol-emitting products

At the heart of the debates was the issue of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco. Although these products are often presented as alternatives to traditional tobacco, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns of the health risks they pose. These products, although different from traditional cigarettes, are the subject of aggressive marketing that targets young people. A real process of normalization of these particularly addictive products is underway and is raising concerns among health professionals. In this perspective, the inclusion of these products in the scope of the ban in public spaces aimed both to strengthen smoking bans but also to emphasize that all these products are not harmless.

The controversial amendments supported by the ECR and the EPP aimed to exclude these products from the planned regulations, thus weakening the initial measures of the resolution. This led some groups, such as the Greens and the Socialists, to reject the final text due to its ineffectiveness in protecting public health.

A non-binding but symbolic resolution

If adopted, this resolution would not have been legally binding. However, it would have provided a framework of recommendations to guide Member States in their efforts to reduce tobacco-related cancers and protect the most vulnerable groups, such as children and pregnant women.

The next step will be at the European Council, where health ministers will meet on 3 December to discuss the Commission's proposal. However, the failure of this resolution illustrates the sustained activity of tobacco lobbies among certain political groups.

RK

[1] https://fr.euronews.com/sante/2024/11/28/la-resolution-sur-linterdiction-de-fumer-est-fortement-rejetee-par-le-parlement-europeen (accessed 11/29/2024)

[2] https://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/fr/newsroom/le-blocage-par-le-ppe-et-lextreme-droite-de-regles-plus-strictes-contre-le-tabagisme-met (accessed 11/29/2024)