MEPs call for 'unrestricted smoking ban' in Europe 

The committee welcomed, on 12 September 2007, the Commission's Green Paper to create a Europe free from tobacco smoke as "a good starting point" but asked for far stringent and tougher measures to protect citizens against the dangers of passive smoking. 

"70% of the EU population are non-smokers," highlights the own-initiative report . "Everyone should be able to work in a smoke-free environment, indoors and in public buildings, and as all voluntary arrangements have repeatedly proven to be ineffective, legislative measures are now needed," the MEPs argue.

For example, the report urges the Commission to designate environmental tobacco smoke a class 1 carcinogen . "Tobacco smoke is the most significant and dangerous avoidable indoor pollutant and the main cause of indoor air pollution. It contains thousands of chemicals, including 250 carcinogenic and toxic substances," argues the report. 

The MEPs are therefore calling on the Commission to propose "an unrestricted smoking ban in all enclosed workplaces, including catering establishments, and in all enclosed public buildings and transport in the European Union" by 2008.

The Commission was also asked to produce a report on the cost incurred to national health systems and the EU economy as a result of smoking and the effects of tobacco smoke and to present a proposal to amend Directive 2001/37/EC on tobacco products. The amendment would to oblige tobacco manufacturers to allow public access to existing toxicological documents for the additives and ingredients in tobacco smoke. 

"Application of product liability in respect of manufacturers and introduction of manufacturer liability for the financing of all health costs arising from tobacco consumption," should also be included in the Directive, MEPS said. 

Other measures proposed include an EU-wide ban on the sale of tobacco products to young people under 18 and prohibiting cigarette machines in places accessible to minors.