Just before the European Parliament’s summer break, the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety voted in favour of the Commission’s proposal that revises the current tobacco directive.

The proposal would introduce stronger measures aimed at deterring young people from taking up smoking. Figures for the European Union show that 90 per cent of European smokers start doing so before they are 25.

In addition, it is hoped the new measures will provide assistance to millions of smokers who wish to quit.

By supporting the proposed tobacco directive, the European Parliament has demonstrated its commitment to protecting the health of European citizens by tackling Europe’s single largest avoidable health risk. Tobacco smoking has been attributed to killing one out of every two of its long-term users.

Europe, in particular, has one of the highest proportions of smoking-related deaths. Every year, 700,000 European citizens die from smoking-related diseases. About 16 per cent of deaths of Europeans over the age of 30 are related to tobacco. Tobacco smoking has also been linked to causing several types of non-communicable diseases like the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The tobacco directive proposes a number of measures such as increasing the number of warning notices on both the back and front of cigarette packages by 75 per cent.

Furthermore, flavoured tobacco, such as menthol, vanilla and chocolate flavours will be banned. European Health Commissioner Tonio Borg explained that people smoking such flavoured tobaccos end up inhaling more smoke.

Slimline cigarettes will also be removed from the market as they are seen as particularly encouraging to young girls.

E-cigarettes too were targeted by the proposed directive. MEPs voted to label e-cigarettes as medical products.

Through these measures, it is hoped the number of smokers will be reduced by 2.5 million over the next five years.

It is hoped the number of smokers will be reduced by 2.5 million over the next five years

Next, the proposed revised tobacco directive will be voted upon at Parliament’s September plenary session in Strasbourg.

As we are entering the final year of this parliamentary term, it is important that Parliament maintains its stance to protect public health and does not give in to the pressure of the extensive lobbying campaign by the tobacco industry.

Under the World Health Organisation Treaty, to which the EU has signed up, special rules apply to tobacco lobbyists. Politicians are not allowed to meet with tobacco lobbyists unless the meeting is carried out in a transparent manner.

Naturally, a balanced approach must be taken. The tobacco industry provides employment to over 1.5 million Europeans. Rural employment, in particular, has benefited from the tobacco industry. Harvesting tobacco leaves provides 400,000 jobs and produces 250,000 tonnes of tobacco annually.

Therefore, the revised tobacco directive could potentially have serious consequences on those employed by the industry, particularly in a time of economic difficulty. Despite this, the European Economic and Social Committee emphasised that public health should remain a priority over economic conditions.

Finance, such as from the cohesion and structural funds, regional funds and money meant to assist research and innovation can be used to minimise the risks to rural employment by supporting enterprises and farms that are not eligible under the Common Agricultural Policy.

Apart from the health benefits in reducing the number of smokers, national governments would save millions of euros in healthcare expenses.

The final hurdle for the proposal will be the negotiations between the European Parliament and EU health ministers as the proposal must be approved by both Parliament and the Council of Ministers. Such negotiations will be time-sensitive in order for the proposal to be approved before the European elections in May next year.

There was speculation that Dalligate hindered the progress made on the proposed directive. However, his successor rejected this. In addition, he believes it is a strong possibility that the proposal will be approved early.

Despite being an ambitious proposal, the commissioner feels the revised directive is well balanced.

David Casa is a Nationalist MEP.

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