Commission launches €15.8m anti-smoking campaign
The European Commission today launched a €15.8m anti-tobacco campaign targeting the young after a survey showed that 35% of 15-24-year-olds are smokers.
The Republic of Ireland figure is even higher at 39% – exceeded only by France and Spain (48%), Belgium (44%), Bulgaria (42%) and the UK (40%), according to the latest “Eurobarometer” poll, conducted last October.
EU Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner John Dalli warned: “Tobacco kills 650,000 Europeans every year, and many lives could be saved by reducing tobacco consumption.
“I am particularly concerned about smoking rates amongst young people – Europe cannot passively watch future generations smoke away their health”.
The new campaign is timed to coincide with European “No Tobacco Day” next Monday, and involves anti-smoking messages targeting television, the internet and other sites accessible via mobile phones.
The aim is to “empower young people to take control of their health and lifestyles” said a Commission statement spokesman.
“The general motto is providing help and support for a life without tobacco by delivering comprehensive information on health and social problems related to tobacco consumption.”
The figures reveal that 29% of people in the EU still smoke, despite years of health warnings.
Anti-smoking campaigns are backed by three-quarters of EU citizens.
Unveiling the figures, Mr Dalli commented: “I am determined to do everything in my power to reduce tobacco consumption across Europe via upcoming revision of existing legislation on tobacco products and via measures that can contribute to a clear set of rules to support Europeans’ health.”
Current EU legislation dates from 2001, stipulating limits on the nicotine and tar content of cigarettes, written warnings on cigarette packets and a ban on the use of misleading descriptions of cigarette strengths, such as “light”.
So far a dozen EU countries have introduced total bans on smoking in enclosed public places and work places, including bars and restaurants. They are Ireland, the UK, Cyprus, Italy, Malta, Sweden, Latvia, Finland, Slovenia, France, Lithuania and the Netherlands.
Partial smoking bans are applied to the “hospitality” industry in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Portugal, Romania, Belgium, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Spain and in most German regions.
The Commission says it is fully behind an EU plan agreed last November to achieve a “smoke-free Europe” by 2012.
Today’s statement said: “In this context the Commission encourages all member states to protect their citizens from exposure to tobacco smoke in enclosed public spaces, workplaces and public transport, and to reduce children’s exposure to second-hand smoke.”
Smoking rates amongst 15-24-year-olds across Europe:
France – 48%
Spain – 48%
Belgium – 44%
Bulgaria – 42%
UK – 40%
Ireland – 39%
Cyprus – 39%
Greece – 39%
Hungary – 39%
Estonia – 38%
Austria – 37%
Romania – 37%
Latvia – 36%
Czech Rep – 35%
Denmark – 33%
Slovenia – 33%
Lithuania – 29%
Netherlands- 28%
Germany – 27%
Italy – 25%
Finland – 25%
Poland – 25%
Malta – 24%
Slovakia – 24%
Luxembourg – 24%
Portugal – 22%
Sweden – 19%
