Rhein on Energy and Climate

A Plea for Tobacco-Free EU in 2025

July 30, 2015

According to WHO tobacco is the most preventable premature cause of death and the only product for which there is a “Convention for Tobacco Control” signed by 168 countries, which provides for member countries to take price and tax measures to reduce the demand for tobacco.

In the EU some 700 000 people die every year prematurely from smoking.

Smoking causes long and painful suffering through cancer, lung and heart diseases, the high monetary costs of which no society can afford to pay.

Since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009 the EU may take measures for protecting public health from tobacco and alcohol use, short of harmonising national legislation (article 168). It has already done so, in particular through the tax and tobacco product directives in 2011 and 2014, the first aiming at minimum tax rates and improving the functioning of the internal market, the second banning advertising on billboards and TV, small cigarette packages and special cigarette flavours, with menthol from 2020.

As the average starting age for smoking is around 18 years EU action targets young people and protects them from becoming addicted.

Smoking prevalence in the EU has visibly declined since the beginning of the century, from 40 to 28 per cent. But it is still far too high.

Thanks to rising awareness of the health risks public support for prohibiting smoking in work places, restaurants and bars keeps rising. Three quarters of EU citizens are in favour of smoking bans at work places and in bars, but with big differences from Italy (88 per cent) to Czech Republic (41per cent).

It is therefore not surprising that smoking prevalence differs hugely between member countries, from Sweden with only 11 per cent smokers to Bulgaria (35 per cent) and Greece (38 per cent).

It is therefore more than worthwhile to pursue the “crusade” against smoking.

Following the Irish example the EU should spread the message for a “Smoke-Free Europe” until 2025, with no more than five per cent smokers.

Scandinavian countries and Ireland show that this might well be possible if EU and member countries join hands.

Member states should act according to their preferences and individual speed and, above all, learn from each other as to the most effective measures. Health ministers should convene twice a year for informal exchanges of experience.

To prevent youngsters from becoming addicted cigarettes a high price remains a powerful obstacle. must be made prohibitively expensive. Member states should therefore have no qualms of raising excise taxes up to 90 per cent of the retail price and having a package of 20 cigarettes cost more than € 10.

Neutral packages, on which the debate is presently inflamed, will hardly have a stronger deterrent impact than the aversive picture/text prints which must presently be shown on two thirds of the covers of all packages.

In conclusion, the EU must not slow down its fight against smoking. On the contrary, every human that is being spared from the pains of smoker-related disease and precocious death is precious; and every Euro that is not spent on tobacco-related disease finds much better use for education and social work.

It should therefore engage in a persuasive campaign for a “Tobacco -free Europe” by 2025.

 

Brussels 29.07. 2015 Eberhard Rhein

Author :
Print

Health & Consumers, Health & Lifestyle, Uncategorized

44 Comments

Comments

  1. Hello
    We admire you for taking the first step in putting up your own business. We want to assist you in bringing your dream into fruition by providing you the low-interest business loan and other credit facilities that you need to expand or pay for the start-up expenses.

    Though there are many financing companies out there that refuse to provide start-up loans and other credit facilities with the belief that they are too risky. Our company is not one of them. We understand the importance of getting a business jumpstarted and are not afraid to be of assistance.

    We offer business loans, housing loans, bank guarantee, standby Letter of Credit; Letter of credits, Medium term notes, and so many others from AAA rated banks between US$100,000 – US$1 Billion at 3% minimal interest and leasing rates. We cover all your credit facilities needs and offer low interest rates and effortless payment plans.
    Other packages include long term project partnership funding, joint ventures partnership, investment funding, invention partnership funding, contract funding and other partnership funding for those that have good business plans and ongoing projects without enough money to finance or complete it.

    Our goal is to be able to help everyone as much as possible, regardless of what your credit report has to say. We didn’t establish our company to discriminate. Email us today and discuss with us to see the great deals we have to offer. We want your business to succeed just as much as you do. Let us assist you
    During our 12 years operation in financing we didn’t receive any negative feedback from our clients.

    If you’re looking for a loan that will fund the establishment or expansion of your own business, we are here to give it to you.
    Email: creditfacilitiesconsultant@gmail.com us today regarding questions you may have and discuss with us to see the great deals we have to offer. We want your business to succeed just as much as you do. Let us assist you. We look forward to serving you.

    I am waiting for your response.

    Best regards
    Michael
    Credit Facilities Consultant

  5. Pingback: Best Writing Service
  7. Pingback: great depression essay example
  8. Pingback: Best Writing Service
  9. Pingback: Best Writing Service

  14. You tv player is one of the most amazing app using which you can watch latest movies or tv shows absolutely free of cost. It is being loved by many users, and it is considered as one of the most promising apps of recent times. Check this site You TV Player now to know more about this app.

  16. Free from tobacco is a good initiative taken. Drugs can’t help us to move fast as per the current scenerio. Thanks a lot for it.I seriously enjoyed reading it, you happen to be a great author.I will remember to bookmark your blog and will come back in the future. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great posts, have a nice day! Xmodgames App

  22. We all live to play games on our smartphones.
    But what bugs the most is the ads those games contain and the in-app purchase option we have to go through to get the full version of those games.
    Freedom is such a unique application which frees you from these troubles. Want to know more about the Freedom app? Check out this website Freedom for BlackBerry OS

  24. Obtain a resounding academic help from the Best Essay Writing Service
    for improved results aimed at students across UK. British Essay Writers offers relentless quality of work through professional writers that are able to provide specialised assistance for a wide array of subjects and topics. Receive work on time at feasible charges.

  32. Congrats on having such well managed site! It has good looks and contains informative content as well. We are also a web portal where students get the help with the academic writing by opting for our assignment help online
    and can get a well written assignment.

  34. Nice article, we know that tobacco use is always injurious to our health, but many people are become slave of tobacco. We need a country free from it, I would like to appreciate all behind this program. You will get more information about the demerits of tobacco from best dissertation writing service; it will get you to make a good awareness about this topic.

  38. Pingback: Get your documents written perfectly

  40. I think it should not be announced in 2025 but in the current year. nothing can be gained by consuming tobacco its only cause of diseases and death. I don’t understand why people take it. it should be banned for forever.
    god. we don’t only need a country but the world free of it.
    its good to see these kinds of blogs.
    good job, buddy!!!

    ipod Support Number

Leave a Reply

Rhein on Energy and Climate

Thoughts on energy and climate, the Mediterranean and whatever comes to mind.

Eberhard Rhein has devoted most of his life to European and global issues. During the 1980s and  1990s,  he served successively as chef de cabinet to the Commission VP in charge of external relations and director responsible for the Mediterrranean and Arab world.

For the past 10 years he has focused more on global environmental issues.

He also gives a course on economic  policy at the "Mediterranean Academy for Diplomatic Studies" in Malta. He is the author of many articles on EU, Mediterranean and international subjects


Advertisement