The European Union’s new targets for a smoke-free future
The European Commission has welcomed the European Council’s decision to review the recommendations on smoke-free environments. The new guidelines aim to reduce the harmful effects of passive smoking and aerosols, with a particular focus on protecting children and young people. The recommendation is an integral part of the “Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan”, which aims to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use to below 5% by 2040.
Nearly 700,000 people die every year in the European Union from tobacco-related diseases. Smoking is responsible for 27% of all cancers, making it one of the most important health problems. According to 2023 figures, 24% of the European population smokes, which represents a major public health challenge.
An important element of the new recommendation is the extension of smoke-free rules to outdoor areas, including:
Playgrounds,
Health and educational facilities,
Public transport stops.
These steps are not only aimed at avoiding passive smoking, but also at preventing smoking and the use of new tobacco products from becoming accepted by young people. The Commission has highlighted that the aim is to prevent the normalisation of smoking, especially among the new generations.
The new recommendation builds on existing regulations in EU Member States and is implemented with the support of the EU4Health programme. However, implementation is the responsibility of Member States, which must take into account local circumstances and needs.
Related news
Rapeseed producer prices rose by 46 percent
According to European Commission data, the Canadian export price (FOB)…
Read more >More than 250,000 Hungarian farmers stand in favor of preserving area-based subsidies
The NAK and MAGOSZ representatives personally took the petition to…
Read more >Eggs are also becoming more expensive in the EU
According to data from the European Commission, the EU (EU27)’s…
Read more >Related news
Dark patterns are spreading in e-commerce – and official action against them is also more frequent
Urging, pressuring, hiding costs or “trickling” them – dark patterns…
Read more >Corporate mergers at historic high – GVH works with faster procedures and artificial intelligence
A record number of corporate mergers took place in Hungary…
Read more >Frost hits Hungarian orchards – season starts with price hike and supply shortage
As May marks the last month of spring and the…
Read more >