Commission wants EU-wide smoking ban in public places

"I want to see a comprehensive, complete smoking ban adopted all over Europe," said Commissioner Kyprianou, referring to scientific evidence of the harm caused by second-hand smoke and the impact of clean indoor air policies on the overall reduction in tobacco use.

"Europe should butt out on enforcing smoke-free zones across member states with more heavy-handed legislation," said John Bowis MEP (EPP-ED Group). He thinks that although smoking bans are a positive move, Europe should quit trying to impose an EU-wide policy as member states, such as France, have shown they can do a lot in this respect "without dragging more EU law into their systems".

A Eurobarometer survey on Europeans' attitudes towards tobacco in the EU-25 shows that three quarters of Europeans are aware that tobacco smoke represents a health risk for non-smokers and indicates a large support for smoke-free policies among EU citizens. 86% of respondents are in favour of banning smoking in the workplace and 84% for banning it in other indoor public places as well. The majority is also in favour of banning smoking in bars (61%) and restaurants (77%). 

Until recently, the policy approach taken by EU member states in relation to tobacco consumption has been focused on price and taxation increases. Since a couple of years, several member states have begun to introduce smoke-free environment legislation, a policy that is designed to reduce the impact of passive smoking on all citizens, but particularly workers in the catering and leisure industries. In March 2004, Ireland became the first country in the world to introduce a nationwide ban on smoking in pubs, restaurants and other enclosed workplaces.

The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) and the Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union (PGEU) think that "the European Commission and member-state governments have a moral obligation to complement smoke-free legislation with an effective policy designed to help smokers give up." According to these two organisations, the policy put forward should include sustained price and taxation increases and education and health promotion particularly directed at the young.

The European Smoking Tobacco Association (ESTA) "supports provisions for both smokers and non-smokers, minimising possible nuisance through environmental tobacco smoke in public and workplaces through segregated non-smoking areas, adequate ventilation and air filtration." According to ESTA, this can be best achieved through local or national regulations or voluntary agreements, for example between employers and employees or between industry and the legislator. 

The Tobacco Manufacturers' Association, the trade association for tobacco companies operating in the United Kingdom thinks that the Government should maintain the voluntary approach to regulating smoking in public places. "Self-regulation is already providing more smoke-free places and gives the choice that the public wants. Legislation is unnecessary and would lead to oppressive and costly bureaucracy."