A ban on smoking across Europe?

From thIs page we have often argued that the European Union is not about trade alone but about many other matters that improve the quality of life of European citizens. It is true that at times the Union may err on the side of over regulation.

Thankfully, people react to this and corrective action is often taken. But there is no denying that on the whole the EU's impact on the lives of people has been positive.

Take the controversial proposal to ban smoking in public places across the EU and curtail the number of deaths from passive smoking.

EU Commissioner for Health Markos Kyprianou said: "Passive smoking kills more than 79,000 adults each year in the EU." According to the Commission, passive smoking remains a widespread cause of preventable death and disease in the EU.

Chronic exposure to second-hand smoke increases the risk of lung cancer in non-smokers by 20-30 per cent and of heart disease by 25-30 per cent.

Now no one is denying that smokers have the right to their addiction but they have no right to endanger the lives of non-smokers. Since society has become more aware of the dangers of passive smoking, we have the duty to make the lives of individuals more secure from its threats.

There are many today who are also alarmed by adults' smoking habits and its rapid increase among certain sectors of society, particularly among women. One Italian specialist has recommended that his country increases the price of a packet of cigarettes to more than €5 and thus give smokers a financial incentive to lay off it.

Taxes have had a devastating effect on tobacco sales. But they have also led to an increase in smuggling. The proposal must be studied carefully.

Last Tuesday the European Commission adopted a Green Paper, entitled 'Towards a Europe free from tobacco smoke: policy options at EU level', to launch a broad public consultation on the best way to promote smoke-free environments in the EU.

The Green Paper examines the health and economic burdens associated with passive smoking, public support for smoking bans, and the measures taken so far at national and EU level. Views are sought on the scope of measures to tackle passive smoking.

The advantages and disadvantages of measures of different scope are analysed, including a total ban on smoking in all enclosed public places and exemptions of different types (e.g., for restaurants and bars).

The Commission considers that the policy of widest scope would bring the biggest health benefit to the population's public health. Finally, the Commission seeks views on which policy option would be most appropriate to achieve smoke-free environments.

The other EU institutions, member states and civil society are invited to submit their comments to the Green Paper until May 1. The Commission will then analyse the responses and produce a report with the main findings of the consultation before considering further steps.

The evidence from European countries with comprehensive smoke-free policies is that they work, produce results and are popular. A Eurobarometer survey found more than 80 per cent of EU citizens in favour of a ban on smoking in workplaces and indoor public places.

The EU Commission is suggesting five ways to go about this ban: no change from the status quo; voluntary measures or self-regulation at European level, which the evidence suggests have not been effective; open method of co-ordination or seeking convergence in national smoke-free legislation through guidelines, targets and exchanges of best practice; a Commission or Council Recommendation; and binding legislation, which as the Commission admits, could prove to be a lengthy affair.

Information provided by the Commission shows that all member states have some form of regulation aimed at limiting exposure to second-hand smoking and its harmful effects on health. The scope and character of these regulations vary.

Bans on smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces, including bars and restaurants, are in force in Ireland and Scotland, with the rest of the UK to follow by this summer. Sweden, Italy and Malta have smoke-free legislation allowing for special sealed-off smoking rooms with separate ventilation systems, France will enforce similar measures next year, and Estonia and Finland in June 2007.

Belgium, Lithuania, Spain, Cyprus, Slovenia and the Netherlands provide exceptions of different kinds for the hospitality sector. Most member states ban or restrict smoking in major public places, such as hospitals, schools and government buildings, theatres, cinemas and means of public transport.

At EU level, the issue of smoke-free environments has been addressed in non-binding resolutions and recommendations. A number of occupational health and safety directives also cover some issues related to exposure to tobacco smoke in the workplace.