Recommendation on smoke- and aerosol-free environments
This resolution calls for updated EU recommendations on smoke-free environments, aiming to protect more people from harmful smoke and aerosols, especially children and pregnant women. It affects all EU citizens, particularly vulnerable groups like children, pregnant women, and those with respiratory issues, as well as businesses in the tourism and hospitality sectors. The resolution emphasizes a harm-reduction approach, urging a scientific basis for policies and better differentiation between traditional tobacco products and newer alternatives like e-cigarettes. It also calls for impact assessments on economic sectors and for the Commission to report on implementation progress within four years.
Analysis
The resolution reiterates strong support for the goal of creating a 'tobacco-free generation' by 2040, emphasizing the need to increase efforts to achieve this aim.
What changes
- The proposal recommends that Member States extend smoke-free environment policies to certain outdoor areas, including recreational spaces for children and areas near healthcare and educational premises.
- Member States are recommended to apply smoke-free environment policies to new or emerging aerosol-emitting products similarly to traditional tobacco products.
- The proposal encourages Member States to enhance international cooperation and exchange best practices to maximize the impact of implemented measures across the EU.
Expected impact
- The resolution expresses concern about the broader scope and potential lack of proportionality and effectiveness of general bans on smoking or tobacco products in outdoor areas.
- The resolution regrets the lack of a clear differentiation between traditional tobacco products and new/emerging products in the Commission's proposal, noting it is not based on scientific evidence.
- The resolution regrets that the Commission has not assessed the proposal's impact on economic sectors like tourism, hotels, restaurants, and cafés, which have expressed concerns.
Limitations
- The document is a motion for a resolution and does not contain the final adopted legislative text.
- Specific details on the implementation of the Council recommendation by Member States are not yet available.
- The document does not provide a comprehensive list of all new and emerging aerosol-emitting products.
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