Brussels, 3 December 2024 – Smoke Free Partnership warmly congratulates the new European Commissioner for Health, Olivér Várhelyi. Additionally, we commend the Council of the European Union and the Hungarian Presidency for their leadership in adopting the evidence-based Recommendation on smoke- and aerosol-free protection. This forward-thinking initiative will help prevent one in four cancers caused by tobacco use and reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases

Council Recommendation on Smoke- and Aerosol-Free Environments: A promising starting point for the new EU mandate on public health Brussels,

3 December 2024 – Smoke Free Partnership warmly congratulates the new European Commissioner for Health, Olivér Várhelyi. Additionally, we commend the Council of the European Union and the Hungarian Presidency for their leadership in adopting the evidence-based Recommendation on smoke- and aerosol-free protection. This forward-thinking initiative will help prevent one in four cancers caused by tobacco use and reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases.

Additionally, we applaud countries such as Latvia, Estonia, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands that called for revisions of the Tobacco Tax Directive and the Tobacco Products Directive. As Latvia noted, tobacco use is a European problem that requires EU-wide solutions. This enthusiasm reflects the shared ambition to create a healthier future for everyone across Europe. Only comprehensive revisions of EU legislation on tobacco and new products can ensure that Europeans, no matter in which country they live in, are equally protected from tobacco industry tactics to re-normalise consumption of tobacco products, which kills half of their consumers.

Moreover, we are particularly pleased to see the inclusion of beaches in the recommendation, reflecting a growing awareness of the need to preserve shared public spaces for the enjoyment and well-being of all. This will help reduce cigarette waste and set an important precedent for moving towards a filter ban, as filters neither protect against emissions nor reduce harm and contain microplastics1 .

Furthermore, we look forward to the Polish Presidency, which has announced its intention to evaluate current tobacco regulations and take steps regarding new products. We are also pleased to see that the Hungarian Presidency has provided clarity regarding a proposed Council and Commission’s vision. Despite attempts by the industry to frame this issue as a ‘ban on vapes’, the Presidency has clarified that this is a Council Recommendation with distinct regulatory parameters that cover smoke- and aerosol-free regulations.

This recommendation marks a promising starting point for the new EU mandate, and we eagerly anticipate future developments. It is a vital step toward reducing exposure to second-hand smoke, promoting smokeand aerosol-free public spaces, and towards a world free from the death and suffering caused by tobacco consumption.