Tobacco
Commission hits back at criticism over tobacco track and trace proposal
The European Commission’s proposal for a tobacco track and trace system is fully in line with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) provisions, as it gives control over the system to the member states and not the tobacco industry, a Commission spokesperson told EURACTIV.
Swedish snus wants place in EU tobacco directive
Sweden’s moist smokeless tobacco snus, which is currently banned across Europe, is trying to find its way into the EU tobacco directive, with supporters pointing to evidence suggesting it is appropriate for the protection of public health.
Commission: Plain tobacco packaging does not damage the economy
A European Commission spokesperson has told EURACTIV.com that any loss in the tobacco industry’s turnover arising from health warnings or plain packaging should be offset against the cost of treating people with smoking-related diseases.
Bulk tobacco smuggling increases, worrying OLAF and Commission
Illegal sale of fine cut tobacco is on the rise in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, depriving state budgets of millions of euros in unpaid taxes and causing concern in the EU's anti-fraud office, OLAF, and the European Commission.
French smokers, at €10 a pack, may finally think twice
The cost of lighting up at a French sidewalk cafe may finally dissuade even the most ardent smoker, if Prime Minister Edouard Phillippe gets his way.
Tobacco track and trace tech: A warning
Plans to tackle the problem of illicit tobacco by using track and trace technologies are gathering momentum among European policymakers. But Juan Yañez warns that concerns about the type and timing of the technology need to be raised.
Tobacco makers denounce ‘brand theft’ from plain packaging
The trend towards imposing plain packaging on tobacco products has made industry executives furious and denounce “Brussels-led overregulation” that effectively leads to "brand theft".
Retailers fear tobacco-style restrictions on food and drinks
Governments across Europe have applied ever-more restrictive measures to the sale of food and drinks as a way of fighting obesity – a regulatory proliferation that is making retailers worried about new barriers to the EU’s single market.
Weighing the tradeoffs of joy versus long term health
Consumers make hundreds of choices every day, some of which imply weighing the tradeoffs of joy versus long term health. These are highly subjective decisions, and in a free society adult consumers should have the right to make these choices and not have them dictated to them by public health tsars, writes Fred Roeder.
Regulating consumers?
Over the years, sales and marketing restrictions have piled up on food, drinks and alcohol products. Some are now beginning to worry about a “slippery slope” where tobacco-style regulations – and taxation – are being applied to a whole range of consumer products in the name of public health objectives.
The slippery slope of consumer goods regulation
Over the past few years, a series of restrictions on fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) have been imposed across the world, including in several European countries.
Beer-loving Czechs stub out cigarettes as pubs go smoke-free
Pubs in the Czech capital Prague filled up on Tuesday night (30 May) and some held special events as smokers lit up for the last time before a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants took effect.
Campaigners push to hitch tobacco control onto sustainable development agenda
Anti-tobacco campaigners from across Europe today (31 May) called on their national governments to use the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals to drive forward tobacco control legislation.
Industry should take lead on TT&A governance
The EU wants to tackle counterfeit pharmaceuticals and tobacco. Tracking, tracing and authentication (TT&A) has a big role to play in this. But who should be tasked with implementing and monitoring it? Craig Stobie explains how the problem should be handled.
Celebrating 20 years of tobacco control in Europe
What would the world be like if tobacco control NGOs did not exist? What kind of society would we live in? How would our lives be different if the tobacco industry had its way?
Greek government under fire for not implementing smoking ban law
Anti-smoking campaigners heavily criticised the Greek government for not implementing a 2008 law that prohibits smoking in public places. EURACTIV.com reports from Athens.
World No Tobacco Day
According to the European Commission, tobacco consumption is considered the largest avoidable health risk and the most significant cause of premature death in the EU. Approximately 700,000 deaths every year are attributed to tobacco, while around 50% of smokers die prematurely.
Andriukaitis: Anti-smoking laws are of little value if they are not implemented
Member states should prioritise laws that protect public health because there is little value in having them if they are not enforced, the EU's health Commissioner told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Don’t thwart an ally in the war on tobacco
Declining smoking rates in Europe mean less tax revenue for many fiscally strained governments. Trying to make up for these losses with a tax on e-cigarettes would be a big mistake, writes Alex Brill.
Regulating consumers, ensuring public health?
Soft drinks, food, tobacco, alcohol and e-cigarettes are among the most regulated consumer products in Europe.
Brussels urges Belarus to raise excise taxes on cigarettes
In an effort to halt the growing illicit tobacco trade from Belarus to Europe, the European Commission is calling on Minsk to approximate its excise duty rates to the levels in the EU.
Minsk under pressure to take action against ‘illicit whites’
Belarus should take measures against its illicit tobacco trade with Europe, lawmakers and stakeholders warn.
EU anti-fraud official: Tobacco smuggling is ‘major source’ of organised crime
Cigarette smuggling costs national and EU budgets more than €10 billion annually in lost public revenue and is a major source of organised crime, including terrorism, Margarete Hofmann told Euractiv in an interview.
E-cigarettes are not ‘cool’, EU’s top health official says
Vytenis Andriukaitis, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said he opposed e-cigarettes being advertised as another 'cool' thing to attract young smokers, reminding they must also carry a health warning.