European Parliament commits to a tobacco-free generation in Europe by 2040
February 18, 2022
Par: National Committee Against Smoking
Dernière mise à jour: February 18, 2022
Temps de lecture: 4 minutes
This Wednesday, February 16, 2022, the European Parliament adopted in plenary session a report aimed at “ Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer »[1]It was developed at the initiative of the Parliament's Special Committee on the Fight against Cancer (BECA) and follows the "European Plan to Beat Cancer" published by the European Commission in February 2021.[2]-[3].
The report details Parliament's various recommendations to strengthen the European Union's role in the fight against cancer, particularly with regard to tobacco and nicotine products.
A tobacco-free generation in Europe by 2040
The report states that 4 out of 10 cancers in the region are the result of exposure to lifestyle and behavioural risk factors, such as tobacco use, and are therefore preventable. Smoking is by far the leading preventable cause of cancer in the European Union, causing 15-20% of cancer cases and is the leading risk factor for cancer death on the continent (27% of deaths or 700,000 cancer deaths per year).
The parliament thus reaffirms its support for achieving a tobacco-free generation which aims to have less than 5% of the population using tobacco by 2040 on the continent, compared to 25% today.
Vigilance around the aromas of new tobacco and nicotine products
MEPs call for increased vigilance regarding new tobacco and nicotine products. They warn in particular about flavours that are likely to attract young people and non-smokers. They invite the Commission to assess, within the framework of the Tobacco Products Directive, which flavours of e-cigarettes are particularly attractive and to propose a ban on these flavours. Similarly, this vigilance regarding flavours concerns heated tobacco products with the recommendation of a similar ban for all attractive flavours.
The assessment of the risks posed by the use of heated tobacco products and vaping compared to the consumption of other tobacco products should also be continued. A list of the substances that these products contain and emit should be established.
Tax harmonization of tobacco products
Parliament calls on the Commission to act on tobacco taxation by increasing the minimum excise duties for all tobacco products – including heated tobacco. These increases should lead to an increase in the final price of these products on the market. MEPs also call for upward convergence on taxation. Raising tobacco taxes is the most effective measure to reduce smoking. Significant and repeated increases in tobacco taxes lead to a decrease in consumption and cessation among smokers and discourage young people from starting to smoke.
Rapid and complete implementation of the Framework Convention and its Article 5.3
Parliament recalls the importance of the WHO Framework Convention and its implementing guidelines, in particular its Article 5.3, which plays an important role in protecting public policies from the tobacco industry lobby. It calls for the swift and full implementation of this treaty, as well as that of the Protocol to combat illicit trade in tobacco products. It strongly calls on the European Commission to implement specific rules of conduct for all civil servants and other agents in any relationship with the tobacco industry, in line with the European Ombudsman's decision in case 852/2014/LP.
Keywords: Parliament, European Union, Tobacco-Free Generation, 2040, Cancer
©Generation Without TobaccoAE
[1] European Parliament, Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer - European Parliament resolution of 16 February 2022 on strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer – towards a comprehensive and coordinated strategy (2020/2267(INI)) [2] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council, Europe's Beating Cancer Plan, European Commission, Brussels, February 3, 2021, consulted on February 18, 2021 [3] Tobacco-free generation, European Cancer Plan: The Commission for a tobacco-free Europe by 2040, February 4, 2021, accessed February 18, 2022 National Committee Against Smoking |
