European Union health Committee pushes for stricter indoor smoking regulations
Published on July 13, 2009 6:14 AM
Cheap online tobacco in our shop
Last Wednesday, the EU Public Health Committee Chairwoman said that the Committee seeks to approve comprehensive indoor smoking ban in all enclosed places that would be equal in all 27 member-states, in order to reduce smoking rates across the Union and prevent non-smokers from the exposure to second-hand smoke in work and public places.
Less than a half of EU member-countries have approved corresponding legislation restricting exposure to second-hand smoke and prohibiting indoor smoking. The United Kingdom and Ireland are home to Europe’s strictest smoke-free policies, as smoking is prohibited in indoor public buildings, hotel rooms, pubs and restaurants, office centers and public transport.
During an interview with CNN, Androulla Vassiliou, EU Health Committee Chairwoman said that every resident of the European Union has his right to be protected from the hazards of passive smoking and breathe clean air while working or dining.
The Health Commissioner urged the governments of all EU countries to adopt laws banning smoking in all public places, including transport to protect non-smokers and especially children from health complications caused by exposure to second-hand smoke.
“We thank God that we have had so many successes over tobacco industry in the past decades and our teenagers do not consider smoking a stylish habit as it was in the ‘60s,” Vassiliou mentioned.
Mrs. Vassiliou added that in countries where anti-smoking policies are yet to be approved or are too looser regulations on smoking, almost 25 percent of all residents have been exposed to passive smoking in various places, including work, transport or even hospitals.
In conformity with the statistics provided by EU health Chief, more than ten thousand people across EU passed away last year due to passive smoking, therefore the Health Committee does its best to pass and enforce uniform and strict anti-smoking regulations.
Up until the present day, EU countries have implemented their own restrictions concerning indoor smoking and the level of their enforcement. For example, in Spain smoking is banned in all indoor workplaces, public and state buildings and restaurants, however venues with separate areas for smokers only are exempted from the ban.
Greece, home to EU heaviest smokers, recently introduced indoor smoking ban in all enclosed public places, in an effort to reduce record-beating smoking rates that make up 40 percent of all population, meaning that more than a half of all residents are exposed to passive smoking.
EU Health Committee Chairwoman admitted that only 10 countries across the European Union approved comprehensive anti-smoking policies.
