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26 September 2024
EU
PREVENT, - Tobacco & Smoking

smokefree article

After months of delay, on 17 September the Commission presented an updated Council recommendation on Smoke- and Aerosol-Free Environments. The non-legislative initiative, which replaces a recommendation from 2009, is addressed to Member States and puts forward specific proposals to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke in the EU which are crucial to reduce respiratory and allergic diseases and protect patients. 

The updated recommendation takes into account latest market developments such as the increased popularity of new types of tobacco and smoking products. It also refers to the latest evidence on the health impact of passive smoking, including the harm caused on children and young people.  

The overall objective of the recommendations is to denormalise the use of tobacco and related products, and in this way to contribute to a ‘Smoke-Free Generation’ by 2040 in Europe.  

EFA has contributed to all official feedback procedures leading to the final recommendation, including a public and a targeted consultation.

What new does it bring? 

The two main new elements of the updated text refer to its broader scope in terms of products and areas covered. Specifically: 

  • Unlike the 2009 recommendations, apart from conventional tobacco products the recommendation now includes to protect from emerging products emitting smoke or aerosols, such as heated tobacco products, e-cigarettes (with nicotine and nicotine-free), as well as tobacco surrogates. These emerging products have been shown to have increasing popularity in recent years, especially among the young population; 
  • The recommendation includes new areas that may be frequented by children as key to reduce exposure, such as recreational areas like playgrounds, amusements parks and zoos; outdoor and semi-outdoor service establishments, such as bars, cafes, restaurants and rooftops; public transport stops; outdoor professional and healthcare facilities; as well as outdoor educational facilities, such as schools and universities. 

Meanwhile, the European Commission encourages Member States to invest in national strategies to ensure effective protection from second-hand smoke, including prevention, smoking cessation and awareness-raising efforts.  

In addition, the Commission commits to develop and present a prevention toolkit to support improved protection of children and young people, with references to the health impact of exposure to second-hand smoke. 

EFA welcomes the comprehensive nature of the updated Council Recommendation and will be working closely on the implementation with our community of Members. We look forward to similar ambition in the upcoming evaluation and revision of the EU Tobacco Products Directive.

You can find the recommendation and its annex here