Kyprianou wants more smoking bans

European Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou will this month make a bid to encourage more EU countries to ban smoking in public.

A green paper on smoke-free environments next Tuesday (30 January) will start a three-month public consultation on the best ways to discourage smoking outside the home. All 27 member states today restrict smoking in public, but only Ireland has imposed a total ban.

"The commissioner strongly supports and encourages all member states to follow the lead of countries such as Ireland and Italy [which allows only small closed off smoking areas]," said a spokesman for Kyprianou. "He hopes that all member states will have taken similar action by the end of his mandate [2009]."

The green paper will ask respondents to consider different policy options when it comes to smoking bans. These could include an EU recommendation or legislation, as well as new voluntary measures, or maint-aining the status quo.

It will also ask for ideas on the scope of smoking bans. Several countries allow separate smoking areas in bars and restaurants, while others have approved exemptions for bars and cafes not serving food.

A 2006 opinion poll showed that 56% of EU citizens were ‘totally in favour’ of a ban on smoking in restaurants and 66% were totally in favour of a workplace ban.

Alexander Macara from the Standing Committee of European Doctors, who helped advise the Commission on smoking policy, said he hoped the green paper would speed up anti-smoking action in the member states.

"We need a sufficiently impressive rallying cry from Brussels to make individual countries recognise their responsibilities," he said.

European Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou will this month make a bid to encourage more EU countries to ban smoking in public.