SMOKE FREE PARTNERSHIP POLICY MATERIALS

The Smoke Free Partnership presents this position paper to provide evidence-based recommendations for updating the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) in alignment with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The paper emphasizes the need to strengthen the directive to address the rising use of alternative tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, and to counter the tobacco industry's evolving strategies.

SFP infographic, based on data from the Eurobarometer 2024, highlights the urgent need to update tobacco control directives. While previous revisions to EU Tobacco Products and Tax Directives have reduced smoking prevalence, progress has slowed in recent years. New and emerging tobacco products, particularly among youth, underscore the necessity for comprehensive regulatory updates

The  Smoke Free Partnership (SFP) is participating in the Second Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-2) to advocate for a ban on cigarette filters.

Summary: In April 2023, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released its options paper that summarizes a set of objectives, substantive provisions, including core obligations, control measures, voluntary approaches, implementation measures, and means of implementation for the upcoming plastics treaty talks.

The Smoke Free Partnership (SFP)  will be participating in the Second Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-2) to advocate for a ban on cigarette filters.

SFP is in Paris from 29 May to 2 June, to join forces with the Stop Tobacco Pollution Alliance (STPA) and push for key messages to ensure that the currently negotiated UN plastic treaty talks align with EU and global legal tobacco control commitments.

The Smoke Free Partnership (SFP)  is participating in the Second Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-2) to advocate for a ban on cigarette filters.

Summary: Measures to address plastics, especially single-use plastics, should align with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Cigarette filters are plastic fibres that have been linked to a more aggressive form of cancer. The filter is a design feature that, if removed, could reduce consumer appeal.

The Smoke Free Partnership (SFP) will be participating in the Second Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-2) to advocate for a ban on cigarette filters.

Summary: UNEA Resolution 5/14 calls for the development of a global plastics treaty. Formal negotiations start at the end of November 2022. The treaty is expected to address the issue of Single Use Plastics (SUPs), under which cigarette filters have been classified.

The Smoke Free Partnership (SFP) is participating in the Second Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-2) to advocate for a ban on cigarette filters.

Summary: The tobacco industry is facing a potential ban on plastic filters. Filters are toxic waste, as they release harmful chemicals, including heavy metals and radioactive substances, as they decompose. There is no viable treatment or recycling solution for these products. Such a ban poses a threat to the industry's profitability, and as a result, manufacturers are seeking to circumvent such a ban by creating “biodegradable filters.”

SFP welcomes the evaluation of the legislative framework for tobacco control (including the Tobacco Products Directive 2014/40/EU, Tobacco Advertising Directive 2003/33/EC and other related tobacco control policies across the EU) that aims to safeguard public health and protect young people from tobacco-related harm. SFP in its responses provides policy suggestion to strengthen the legislative framework for tobacco control in line with the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.

Brussels, 14 February 2022:  Articles 15 and 16 of the Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU) , and its implementing and delegated acts established the first regional tobacco tracking and tracing system for tobacco products. It aims to support Member States in controlling the supply chain of tobacco products legally manufactured or imported on the EU’s internal market, and in meeting the EU’s and Member States’ obligations under Article 8 of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products.

Brussels, November 2021: the TPD as adopted in 2014 contributed significantly to improving the functioning of the internal market and implementing the FCTC at EU level to reduce tobacco use. However, new market and legislative developments in the EU gave rise to new challenges to the functioning of the internal market and to the protection of public health, which must be addressed through the revision of the current Directive. 

The SFP Spotlight on Article 20 of the WHO FCTC focuses on the overall importance of tobacco control research for FCTC implementation and necessary steps on including tobacco control in the European research field. The Spotlight also examines Horizon Europe due to the nature of tobacco as a risk factor that must be taken into consideration as part of EU research on policy development and implementation.

On the occasion of a special policy dialogue focusing on the Tobacco Products Directive, the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL), the European Heart Network (EHN), the European Lung Foundation (ELF), the European Respiratory Society (ERS), and the Smoke Free Partnership (SFP), teamed up to formulate concrete recommendations to EU policy makers towards delivering effective policies to protect in the best way possible children’s and young people’s health from tobacco and to achieve a sustainable tobacco-free future.

Brussels, 29 June 2021: The MEPs Against Cancer Interest Group, the MEP Heart Group, the MEP Lung Health Group and the Smoke Free Partnership held a special policy dialogue on ‘Europe’s path to the Tobacco Products Directive 3.0’ on Tuesday 29 June 2021 from 11:00 – 13:00 CEST. 

A RECORDING OF THE SESSION IS AVAILABLE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJIyzEJ4B4w

December 2020: The new SFP paper on the Investment Case for the Global Strategy focuses on outlining different pathways for funding, as well as on examples of existing ways to support implementation.

December 2020: Read the SFP Briefing focusing on the Illicit Trade Protocol (ITP) Ratification Status.

Brussels, 19 May 2020: SFP launched its latest briefing paper, titled Tobacco Control for Cancer Prevention.

In March 2018, SFP submitted a response to the public consultation on the future EU research priorities, including a detailed position paper on tobacco control research.

On Monday 2 October 2017 SFP submitted comments to the public consultation regarding the Implementing Regulation on a Traceability System for Tobacco Products, Delegated Regulation on Data Storage Contracts and Implementing Decision on Security Features. The submission was endorsed by 41 other partner organisations. 

BRUSSELS, 27 June 2017 – There is no Plan B for fighting illicit trade of tobacco products if the European Union adopts a tobacco industry-controlled tracking and tracing system, warned international experts and advocates. The calls were made during the High Level Conference on the Illicit Trade of Tobacco Products organised by the Smoke Free Partnership at the European Parliament in Brussels today. The conference was hosted by Francoise Grossetête MEP and co-hosted by MEPs Karin Kadenbach and Bart Staes, and aimed to bring to the forefront a public health perspective on the ongoing discussions.

On 20 June 2017 SFP organised a high level conference on tobacco and research, bringing together leading academics, researchers, and policy makers in research to address the gaps in tobacco control policy research in Europe, explain the need for synergistic relationships between research and policy, and discuss how partnerships in tobacco control research could be developed in Europe and other parts of the world

Brussels, 31 May 2017– On World No Tobacco Day, public health organisations call for speeding up the implementation of the FCTC at EU and regional level, as a way to ensure the fulfilment of the Sustainable Development agenda.

Read the SFP report on tobacco and research

Read SFP's Spotlight on Article 20 of the FCTC

12 October 2016. SFP organised a roundtable on Research, Surveillance and Exchange of Information (FCTC Art 20) hosted by MEP Linda McAvan. The overall objective of the roundtable was to raise awareness of and support for Article 20 of the FCTC in order to ensure this important article is no longer overlooked and gets the attention it deserves amongst all policy makers in charge of research within the European Union.