Memo: European Parliament’s vote on the Tobacco Products proposal. Statement by Health Commissioner, Tonio Borg

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details MEMO/13/859 (08.10.13)
Publication Date 08/10/2013
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A draft law to make tobacco products less attractive to young people was passed by the European Parliament on the 8 October 2013. All packs should carry a health warning covering 65% of their surface. Fruit, menthol flavours and small packs should be banned, and electronic cigarettes should be regulated but as medicinal products only if they claim curative or preventive properties, said the approved text.

European Commissioner for Health Tonio Borg welcomed the positive vote in the European Parliament plenary session. He said that the Commission would carefully analyse the amendments adopted by the Parliament, and define its position, so that negotiations can continue in trilogue.

However, critical MEPs described the voting result in the European Parliament as a victory for Big Tobacco.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-859_en.htm
Related Links
BBC News, 08.10.13: MEPs tighten anti-tobacco laws aimed at young smokers http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24439474
ESO: Background information: Tobacco lobbying derails MEP vote http://www.europeansources.info/record/tobacco-lobbying-derails-mep-vote/
ESO: Background information: Resilient and innovative EU health systems (Special Reports) http://www.europeansources.info/record/resilient-and-innovative-eu-health-systems-special-reports/
Lithuania: EU Presidency: Press Release, 08.10.13: Health Minister V. P. Andriukaitis welcomes the European Parliament‘s resolution to start negotiations with the Council of the EU on Tobacco directive http://www.eu2013.lt/en/news/pressreleases/health-minister-v-p-andriukaitis-welcomes-the-european-parliaments-resolution-to-start-negotiations-with-the-council-of-the-eu-on-tobacco-directive
European Parliament: Press Release, 08.10.13: Tobacco: larger warnings, flavours banned, e-cigarettes regulated http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20131004IPR21539/html/Tobacco-larger-warnings-flavours-banned-e-cigarettes-regulated
EESC: Press Release, CES/13/58: Ahead of the EP vote on 8 October: EESC position on the EU tobacco review http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_CES-13-58_en.htm
EurActiv, 08.10.13: Borg, EU health ministers push Parliament to adopt tobacco directive http://www.euractiv.com/specialreport-resilient-innovati/borg-health-ministers-call-parli-news-530888
Deutsche Welle, 08.10.13: EU Parliament approves stricter legislation on tobacco market http://dw.de/p/19w5I
Le Soir, 08.10.13: Tobacco: Europe holds its breath (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/4209621-tobacco-europe-holds-its-breath
EUObserver, 08.10.13: MEPs approve disputed tobacco law http://euobserver.com/social/121711
EurActiv, 09.10.13: Parliament waters down EU tobacco directive, sparking left-right tensions http://www.euractiv.com/health/left-right-tensions-parliament-v-news-530940
Rzeczpospolita / Süddeutsche Zeitung / Der Tagesspiegel, 09.10.13: Regulations are a step forward (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/4214901-regulations-are-step-forward
Euro|Topics, 09.10.13: EU fights tobacco consumption http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/aeltere/NEWSLETTER-2013-10-09-EU-fights-tobacco-consumption

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