THE EUROPEAN Union’s health chief will seek a “comprehensive ban” on smoking in public places across the group’s 27 countries, he said yesterday.
“At the end of the day there should be this comprehensive ban and I will be ready to defend this, not only before the health ministers, but also the finance ministers because there are also economic benefits for a country,” Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou told Reuters Television.
A discussion paper on smoke-free environments released by the European Commission earlier in the day had stopped short of saying whether Brussels would push for a definitive EU-wide ban.
Kyprianou would not be drawn on a timetable for a ban, but said he would like to see it happen “as soon as possible”.
All 27 EU governments, non-governmental organisations, consumers and the tobacco industry will be invited to put forward proposals on smoking bans by May 31. The Commission is expected to deliver its final recommendations in early 2008.
But Kyprianou, himself an ex-smoker, said he would not be talking to the tobacco industry during the consultation period.
“Why should I? I don’t see anything can be achieved by this. They produce products that kill, it’s simple,” he said.
According to EU figures, 650,000 Europeans die each year from tobacco-related diseases. This figure includes an estimated 19,000 non-smokers who are among victims of passive smoking.
In March 2004, Ireland became the first country in the world to introduce a nationwide ban on smoking in pubs, restaurants and other enclosed workplaces. Kyprianou called on all EU countries to follow suit.
“As a first phase I would be very happy to see all countries following Ireland’s example and once this happens there is also an opportunity to improve and extend the laws even further,” he said.
Italy, Sweden and Scotland have introduced similar laws to that in force in Ireland. The rest of Britain is set to follow later this year.
Some EU members such as Germany oppose a ban, while others including Belgium and France favour limited laws or a phasing-in of legislation.
“I accept that there are cultural differences…I am ready to accept a step-by-step approach, but only provided there is a commitment that we will reach a comprehensive ban,” he said.
A French ban on smoking in offices, stores, schools and hospitals comes into effect tomorrow, while cafes, bars and restaurants will have until January 1, 2008 to introduce the ban.
Italians are smoking more, even though their cigarettes cost more and a national ban has made it illegal for them to light-up in restaurants, bars and offices, according to a study published yesterday. (R)
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