European Union adopts recommendation banning smoking and vaping in various outdoor locations

The Council of the European Union adopted on 3 December 2024 a recommendation urging Member States to extend smoking bans to outdoor areas and to include new tobacco products such as heated tobacco and vaping products in the scope of the ban. Although non-binding, this text is part of the European Beating Cancer Plan[1], aiming to reduce the proportion of smokers to less than 5% of the European population by 2040.

An ambitious recommendation

This recommendation, adopted by the health ministers of the 27 member states, calls for a ban on tobacco, including the consumption of heated tobacco and also electronic cigarettes, in places such as restaurant terraces, beaches, playgrounds and semi-open spaces such as patios and balconies.

 The text sparked debate within the Council. While Germany and Greece abstained, citing a lack of robust scientific data and concerns about the feasibility of the measures, and Italy and Romania expressed reservations about the inclusion of electronic products in the scope of the restrictions, the vast majority of member states, including France, Spain and the Netherlands, supported the recommendation. These countries stressed the urgency of protecting the population, especially children and young people, from the dangers of second-hand smoke and aerosol emissions. They also highlighted the shared goal of a tobacco-free generation by 2040, as a key element of Europe's Beating Cancer Plan.

A major public health issue

Every year, nearly 700,000 deaths in the European Union are attributed to tobacco use, and millions of people are exposed to the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. E-cigarette emissions, although different from those of tobacco products, contain potentially harmful substances. They may expose non-users, particularly children and young people, to health risks that are still poorly assessed but of concern.[2]Furthermore, the ban on consumption in these places aims to emphasize that these products are not harmless and the measure is part of a plan to prevent any normalization of these products among young people.

The aim of these new recommendations is to protect the most vulnerable populations, including minors, who are often exposed to these products in outdoor environments. According to Olivér Várhely, European Commissioner for Health, this agreement is a crucial step towards building a "tobacco-free generation" and reducing preventable diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.[3].

A non-binding text, but one that brings about change

Although this recommendation is not legally binding, it offers a roadmap for Member States wishing to strengthen their legislation.

The effectiveness of this approach will depend on the willingness of national governments to translate these recommendations into internal decisions. Education and awareness campaigns could also accompany these measures to facilitate their implementation.

With the adoption of this recommendation, the European Union seems to want to relaunch the process of adaptation and revision of texts in the field of the fight against smoking.

©Tobacco Free Generation

RK

[1] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/fr/fs_24_2688 (accessed 04/12/2024)

[2] https://www.eubusiness.com/living-in-eu/eu-backs-increased-protection-against-passive-smoking/ (accessed 05/12/2024)

[3] https://www.tovima.com/society/eu-health-ministers-agree-to-ban-outdoor-smoking-and-vaping/ (accessed 04/12/2024)

National Committee Against Smoking |