2 December, 2024
The European Respiratory Society (ERS) has joined other European health organisations in supporting proposed measures that will lead the way to a tobacco-free generation and move Europe closer to a healthier, more sustainable future.
With tobacco consumption remaining a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the European Union (EU), a new proposal – Recommendations 2024/0230 – would expand smoking bans to outdoor public spaces. Novel and emerging products, such as vapes, would also be included in the ban for the first time.
On 28 November, and despite overwhelming public support among EU citizens for smoke- and aerosol-free environments, the European Parliament was unable to reach a consensus, with 378 Members of the European Parliament voting against the proposed recommendations.
ERS – alongside other signatories of a joint statement – now calls upon the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council to adopt Recommendations 2024/0230 and its revised scope of settings and products. As well as supporting the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan’s objective to attain a “tobacco-free generation by 2040”, adopting the recommendations would also improve public health, reduce healthcare costs, and protect the environment across Europe.
The council will vote on the recommendations on Tuesday 3 December, 2024.
Ahead of the vote, Prof. Filippos Filippidis, Chair of the ERS Tobacco Control Committee, said:
“Comprehensive smoke-free policies do work and help to reduce morbidity and mortality in the population. It is essential that these recommendations are adopted across the EU to ensure health for all.”
Read the joint statement: European health organisations urge EU Member States to support the EU Commission’s proposal for smoke- and aerosol-free environments.
The joint statement’s signatories are European Respiratory Society, European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention, European Association of Urology, World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition, European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology, European Heart Network, European Society of Cardiology, European Lung Foundation, Smoke-Free Partnership, European Kidney Health Alliance, European Federation of Allergy and Airways Disease Patients’ Associations, United European Gastroenterology, European Association for the Study of the Liver, and Lungs Europe.
Tobacco consumption remains one of the leading causes of preventable illness and premature death in the EU. Learn more about ERS advocacy activities related to tobacco control.