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Brussels, December 3, 2024 — European Union health ministers have agreed on a recommendation for stricter anti-smoking and anti-vaping measures, aiming to limit smoking and vaping in outdoor areas such as playgrounds, café patios, and even beaches. The move, which was backed by health ministers from all 27 EU member states except Germany and Greece, signals the bloc’s commitment to curbing tobacco use and its harmful effects on public health.
The recommendation, adopted during a meeting in Brussels, urges member countries to extend existing restrictions on smoking to include emerging products such as heated tobacco devices and e-cigarettes. Health Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi praised the agreement, emphasizing its importance in protecting children and young people from second-hand smoke and vapor.
“Today’s agreement is a crucial step towards our goal of a tobacco-free generation in Europe, and is critical in protecting our children and young people from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke,” Varhelyi said.
Although the recommendation is non-binding, it provides a clear direction for future policies aimed at reducing tobacco-related deaths and health problems, with a goal of reducing the EU’s smoking population from 25% to below 5% by 2040 as part of the EU’s “Beating Cancer Plan.”
The recommendation includes the expansion of smoke-free zones to cover a range of outdoor spaces such as swimming pools, zoos, restaurant terraces, and rooftop bars. It also calls for increased protection from aerosols emitted by e-cigarettes and heated tobacco devices in indoor spaces like offices and public buildings.
The proposal has sparked debate, particularly regarding the inclusion of vaping in the same category as traditional smoking. Some countries, such as Italy and Romania, expressed concerns that there was insufficient scientific evidence to justify a ban on outdoor vaping but ultimately supported the recommendation. Germany abstained from the vote, citing regional autonomy in setting public health policies, while Greece raised doubts about the need for further restrictions until more scientific data on e-cigarette risks is available.
A similar resolution in the European Parliament was voted down last week, largely due to disagreements over whether vaping should be treated in the same way as smoking. Lawmakers from the right rejected the original proposal, calling it an infringement on individual freedom. The vote saw 378 members oppose the resolution, while only 152 supported it.
The European Union’s push for tougher tobacco regulations is part of a broader global effort to reduce smoking-related harm. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco kills more than eight million people worldwide annually, including around 1.3 million non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke. The WHO has also raised concerns about the toxicity of e-cigarette emissions, which may also pose risks to non-smokers.
The EU’s commitment to stricter anti-smoking policies aligns with its broader public health objectives and has garnered both support and criticism, with some arguing that the proposed bans infringe on personal freedoms. As the debate continues, EU countries will likely evaluate the effectiveness of these new restrictions in the coming years.
