Member States Should Reject the EU’s Ideological Smokefree Recommendations
October 17, 2024 by daily-pouch.com
Member States Should Reject the EU’s Ideological Smokefree Recommendations
The European Commission proposed extending smoke-free policies to outdoor areas, including vaping and heated tobacco products, despite lack of evidence of outdoor second-hand smoke risks and the safer profile of e-cigarettes and HTPs compared to traditional smoking. Conflating tobacco products could drive smokers to more harmful options, impeding the EU's Tobacco-Free Generation goal. The EC's top-down approach overlooks individual freedoms and consumer choice, hindering harm reduction efforts and potentially increasing tobacco-related health issues. Member States should prioritize evidence-based policies supporting harm reduction and personal freedoms over restrictive measures.
