‘Big brother’ Byrne backs off smoking ban

Brussels is not ready to take on Europe’s “cultural differences” over tobacco with a EU smoking ban, David Byrne has said.

Speaking on Wednesday the European health commissioner lavished praise on an Irish public smoking ban.

But anti-tobacco crusader Byrne pulled back from his own previous calls for a European smoking prohibition.

Byrne regards a smoke-free environment as a human right but acknowledges the danger of an anti-EU backlash if the commission attempted such a ban.

“To introduce it from Brussels might smack of 'Big Brother'. It would be better if it happened from the bottom up,” he said.

“There are cultural differences around smoking in the union and local politicians can best interpret those.”

Speaking to EUpolitix.com last September (see 'further reading' link, right) Byrne warned that smoking could be banned in Europe’s cafés, bars, and restaurants under planned Brussels workplace safety legislation.

“The less smoking there is in public, in public places, the better,” he said at the time.

“My officials are working… to try and see in what way we can bring forward policy that is directed at this problem.”

“We are working... on this and I would hope that will lead to the drafting of legislation.”

The Irish commissioner’s call generated media comment across Europe – much of which was critical of a smoking ban.

Byrne insisted that debate to challenge café culture in continental cities such as Brussels or Paris was “not just desirable but necessary”.

“When you are dealing with something fundamental, like health, you have to try and see to what extent you can change opinion. It will make sense,” he said.

But Wednesday’s Byrne U-turn suggests that some popular aspects of European life are not susceptible to EU legislators.

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