These places where smoking could soon be banned in France and throughout the EU

© Huzaifa Ginwala – UNSPLASH

Café terraces, bus stops, surrounding areas schools… European states spoke out on Tuesday in favor of extending tobacco-free zones and banning electronic cigarettes in these areas. This recommendation, although not binding – the fight against tobacco falls within the competence of each State – gives an indication of future policies that might be adopted by 27 member countries. This is the European Commission who put this proposal on the table, in a context where 24% of Europeans are still smokers.

The text received overwhelming support from member states, with the exception of Germany and Greece, which abstained. Germany justified its abstention by recalling that this subject falls within the competence of the régions (Countries)some of whom oppose the ban on smoking on the terraces of cafes and restaurants. For his part, the Greek minister Adonis Georgiadis called for more scientific data on the impact of electronic cigarettes and warned against too strict rules in outdoor spaces.

Areas concerned and products targeted

The European recommendation proposes extending tobacco-free zones to outdoor spaces around hospitalsof the school buildingsof the public transport stopsas well as playgrounds et amusement parks. It also targets the terraces of cafes and restaurants. «Emerging products such as heated tobacco or electronic cigarettes, which increasingly affect very young users, should also be prohibited.», insists the Commission. L'World Health Organization (WHO) recently warned about the side effects of these products, mentioning significant respiratory and cardiovascular risks linked to exposure to the fumes.

Opposition from MEPs

The French minister Geneviève Darrieussecq fully supported this recommendation, calling for an evolution of European legislation to “extend it to all emerging products that generate addictions and poor health among young people“. The European Union aims to achieve a tobacco-free generation by 2040Or less than 5% of the population would still use tobacco.

Despite this broad support from member states, a similar resolution was rejected on Thursday by the European Parliamentwith 378 votes against 152. This unlikely alliance between elected officials in favor of stricter bans and those opposed to any prohibition led to this failure. L'extreme right introduced amendments aimed at differentiating the rules between electronic cigarettes and traditional tobacco, which angered the left. As a sign of protest, the social democrats voted against the entire resolution, thus rejecting the final text.

A public health issue

«Creating smoke-free environments around schools and health centers is essential to protect the youngest and most vulnerable», insisted the French MEP Laurent Castillo (PPE)also a doctor. However, he recalls that “Member States are free in their anti-smoking policy. We should not give the impression that the European Union bans smoking on the terraces of cafes and restaurants.».