MEPs yesterday gave their final go-ahead for a new directive, which should mean a total revision of the manufacturing, presentation and sale of tobacco and related products.
The controversial directive, which had led to the resignation of former European Health Commissioner John Dalli, has been in the making for the past three years and will now have to be integrated into the legislation of all 28 EU member states over the next two years.
Overwhelmingly supported by MEPs, the new directive will make tobacco products less attractive for young people by requiring all cigarette packets to carry large picture warnings and the regulation of E-cigarettes.
Welcoming the EP’s endorsement, European Commissioner Tonio Borg – who piloted the legislation – said the EP’s formal endorsement is testament to the political will to put the health of EU citizens first.
“This is a great day for EU Health Policy,” Dr Borg said in a statement.
Current legislation, based on a 12-year old directive, already requires at least 30 per cent of the area of the front of the pack and 40 per cent of the back to be covered with health warnings.
Through the new directive, the warning pictorials will be increased to 65 per cent on each side.
Packs of fewer than 20 cigarettes – which are cheaper and more accessible to children – would be banned in the handful of countries where they are still allowed.
E-cigarettes – a new, popular trend among the young – will also be more tightly controlled. Their nicotine concentration should not exceed 20mg/ml and they must be childproof and carry health warnings. E-cigarettes would also be subject to the same advertising restrictions as tobacco products. Additives and flavours will be banned from cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco, Menthol, will be banned from 2020 onwards. Flavours will only be allowed for water pipe tobacco.
Smoking remains the biggest preventable cause of death in the EU with 700,000 fatalities each year. Over the years, measures taken helped reduce the proportion of EU citizens who smoke from 40 per cent in 2002 to 28 per cent in 2012.
Following the resignation of Mr Dalli in October 2012 after an investigation by the EU’s anti-fraud office, doubts were raised over the possibility of another postponement of the introduction of restrictive tobacco rules, fanned by the lucrative industry.
However, both Commission president José Manuel Barroso and Dr Borg pledged the new rules would come into force during the current European legislature.
The European Parliament goes to the polls in May.