Tag: tobacco subsidies

Der Tabakgigant hat sich verpflichtet, 1,25 Milliarden US-Dollar (1 Milliarde Euro) zu zahlen, um die langwierigen Auseinandersetzungen mit der EU beizulegen und die Bekämpfung des illegalen Handels mit Tabakprodukten voranzutreiben.

Laut Gerüchten wird der Tabakriese eine Rekordsumme von 830 Millionen Euro für den Kampf gegen illegalen Handel mit Fälschungen und echten Tabakprodukten zahlen. Diese Abfindung würde die EU davon abhalten, weitere rechtliche Schritte im Bezug auf diese Belange durchzuführen.

Vorhaben zur Abschaffung von Subventionen an Tabakbauern gerieten beim Treffen der EU-Agrarminister am 17. November unter Beschuss.

Die Kommission hat einen Vorschlag für eine Empfehlung des Rates vorgelegt, in dem Best-Practice-Leitlinien und Qualitätsstandards für die Früherkennung verschiedener Krebsarten niedergelegt sind. In der EU sterben jährlich etwa eine Million Menschen an Krebs, jeder vierte Todesfall wird durch diese Krankheit verursacht.

In Polen erheben sich mehr und mehr Zweifel an den in Kopenhagen ausgehandelten EU-Beitrittsbedingungen. Die Koalitionsregierung von Premier Leszek Miller steht auf wackeligen Füßen.

Der Europäische Gerichtshof (EuGH) entschied am 10. Dezember, dass das Verbot irreführender Bezeichnungen wie «mild» oder «leicht» auf Zigarettenschachteln rechtens ist. Das Urteil bestätigt die Gültigkeit der Richtlinie über Tabakerzeugnisse. Nach der Verabschiedung der Richtlinie über Tabakwerbung durch den Rat ist dies die zweite Schlappe, die die Tabakhersteller in einer Woche einstecken müssen.

Am 20. November nahm das Europäische Parlament den Vorschlag der Kommission für eine Richtlinie über Werbung und Sponsoring zugunsten von Tabakerzeugnissen weitgehend unverändert an

The European Parliament has adopted a non-binding Opinion condemning the Commission's attempts to begin phasing out subsidies to tobacco growers. MEPs argued that no decision should be taken on the future of the regime until the completion of the current studies into this issue.

On Tuesday 19 February, a US district court dismissed the EU's claim that cigarette producers boost their profits by oversupplying Eastern European countries in order to favour smuggling into the EU, causing big tax losses. The European Commission announced it would continue its lawsuit against Phillip Morris, Japan Tobacco and R.J. Reynolds Nabisco, despite the dismissal of its claims.

The health ministers and high representatives of 51 countries are meeting from 18 to 19 February 2002 in Warsaw at the "European Ministerial Conference for a Tobacco-free Europe", organised by the World Health Organisation. They will discuss new measures to reduce tobacco consumption, prepare a global anti-tobacco treaty, and try to find a common position before the 4th session of the Framework Convention on tobacco control next month.

The European Parliament approved, with amendments, the Commission's proposal on tobacco tax harmonisation. Internal Market Commissioner Bolkestein could not, however, accept the amendments, as he believes the Parliament's approach would "lead to less rather than more harmonisation of tobacco taxes".

The European Parliament refused to give its opinion on the Directive to harmonise tobacco tax. Although the Parliament only has advisory powers on this issue it did in effect hereby delay the procedure for at least two months.

The Commission has shelved proposals to introduce a ban on European-wide sales promotions of tobacco. The proposals, due to be published on 2 October, were scrapped over fears that they could lead to legal challenges from manufacturers and Member State governments. These fears were based on the existence of another Commission proposal for a ban on tobacco advertising that overlapped with the sales promotion ban.

The European Commission has filed a new complaint against two US tobacco cigarette manufacturers on smuggling charges. Ten Member States, including Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal and Greece, are participating in the new action.

Premature deaths due to smoking have economic benefits according to a controversial report commissioned into the impact of smoking on Czech public finances by Philip Morris. The study found that the economic benefits of smokers' early mortalities, including the revenue from cigarette tax, outweighed the costs of healthcare, income tax loss and other smoking related costs.

European Parliament adopts very strict legislation on the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products

EU Civil Action against tobacco companies RJ Reynolds and Philip Morris began in New York with oral arguments

European Parliament and Council of Ministers reach agreement on new Directive on tobacco products

US tobacco producer Philip Morris will fight EU lawsuit on alleged smuggling of cigarettes into the Union

EU health ministers rejected proposals by the European Parliament to put more graphic health warnings on cigarette packages

In a move to aid small and medium-sized firms the subsidy rules of the Union have been revamped by the Commission.

The European Court of Justice annuled the EU-wide ban on advertising and sponsorship of tobacco products.

The EU Health Council on 29 June is expected to agree tough new controls on cigarettes, making health warnings on packets much larger and banning misleading labelling.

On Tuesday 13 June, the European Parliament held its long-awaited debate on a new directive on the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products.