EU Smoking Ban

Following the release of a discussion paper on smoking released on Tuesday, the EU executive said overall health in the entire EU would benefit if a wide-ranging smoking ban were put in place in all 27 members states.

"The commission considers that the policy of the widest possible scope would bring the biggest benefit to public health," the EU paper said. "Several successful examples of comprehensive smoke-free policy now in force around the world proved that this option is viable and enforceable."

According to EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou, the intention of the report is "to explore both legal mechanisms and health promotion initiatives at both European and member-state level."

The commission, however, stopped short of saying whether or not it would introduce an EU-wide ban, although it did not rule out such a move.

Differing laws

Currently Europe has a patchwork of national laws prohibiting smoking. Ireland introduced a comprehensive ban, prohibiting smoking in pubs, restaurants and other enclosed workplaces, in 2004. Italy, Sweden and Scotland have introduced similar legislation, allowing smoking only in closed-off, separately ventilated areas, with Britain expected to follow suit.

Other nations, including Belgium, Cyprus, Lithuania, Spain, Slovenia and the Netherlands have smoking bans with various exceptions while most EU member states have bans or restrictions in major public buildings.

France will introduce a ban this week on smoking in the workplace and as of next year, bars restaurants and cafes will have to comply.

Other countries, such as Belgium and Germany, oppose a ban or favor limited legislation.

In Germany, however, a proposed smoking ban collapsed due to concerns it would violate the country's constitution and has struggled to introduce even modest restrictions. Lawmakers are discussing ways to implement a more wide-ranging ban, but there are as yet no concrete plans for one.

Noisome fumes

The commission cited figures showing that adults who are in daily contact with a smoker increase their mortality rate by 15 percent, even if they have never smoked. EU figures say that 19,000 non-smokers die from passive smoking each year in the bloc.

"The goal of the green paper is to promote debate on the issue and to seek views from government, MEPs and other interested parties on what role if any the EU could play," said the spokesman for the EU health commissioner, Philip Tod last week.

All 27 EU governments, along with non-governmental organizations, consumers and the tobacco industry have been invited to put forward proposals on smoking bans by May 31. The commission is expected to deliver its final recommendations in early 2008.