By Martin Banks - 23rd October 2007
MEPs have called on the European commission to consider introducing an EU-wide ban on smoking in the workplace.
They voted by a large majority to adopt a report by German MEP Karl-Heinz Florenz which calls on member states to introduce a ban by 2008.
The centre-right deputy’s report says that if member states fail to act, the commission should press ahead with a directive leading to an all-out EU-wide ban by 2011.
The move forms parliament's formal response to the commission green paper on how to proceed on the issue.
After the vote, Florenz said, “It is high time member states acted on this because I regard tobacco and the workplace as one of the most health issues facing the EU.”
He said it was "encouraging" that his report was supported by 561 members, with just 63 against.
A debate on the issue in Strasbourg on Wednesday heard that every year, more than 79,000 adults die as a result of passive smoking in the EU - the equivalent of a big plane crashing every day.
German Green MEP Hiltrud Breyer said, “It is high time that we protect non-smokers, who represent 70 per cent of the population, against the fatal fumes from the smoking minority.”
Further reaction came from Swedish Green MEP Carl Schlyter, who added: "It is very welcome that MEPs supported Green proposals for strong action on tobacco additives.
“While there is no such thing as a safe cigarette, it is important to act on additives that make smoking more difficult to quit or more dangerous.
“Parliament wants all addiction-enhancing additives to be banned immediately.
"Furthermore, it wants to put an end to the current situation under which manufacturers are not obliged to do any testing of tobacco additives: additives for which there is no complete data set by 2008 should be banned automatically.
"Such clear bans are the only language the cigarette industry understands.This now needs to be implemented as soon as possible as an important step to reduce tobacco consumption."
Their comments were largely echoed by Scottish Nationalist Party MEP Alyn Smith, who said the move will bring the EU closer towards a Scottish-style smoking ban.
EU health commissioner Markos Kyprianou, who said during the debate in parliament that he was disappointed member states had not done more to publicise the health impact of smoking, will visit Scotland early in 2008 to witness its experience of the ban.
Smith did not vote for EU legislative action as he believes this would encourage resentment of the EU, but is in favour of individual states implementing bans based on the Scottish model.
He said, “The Scottish smoking ban is among the oldest in the EU and we already have qualitative data proving that it has had a positive impact on public health. Other countries can learn from our experience.
"The commission has been consulting on what to do and, after today's vote, the commission now has a clear mandate for the most comprehensive EU-level action towards a smoke-free Europe.
"I personally believe that action should be taken by member states themselves, though the commission has a clear role to encourage and to share best practice.
"We in Scotland are leading the EU on this, and I am delighted that Kyprianou will come to Scotland to learn from our experience. I hope that he will be able to use the Scottish model to encourage other countries to take similar steps."
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