| Author (Person) | Davies, Eric |
|---|---|
| Publisher | ProQuest Information and Learning |
| Series Title | In Focus |
| Series Details | 4.6.00 |
| Publication Date | 04/06/2000 |
| Content Type | News, Overview, Topic Guide | In Focus |
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The 31 May 2000 was designated 'World No Smoking Day'. David Byrne, European Commissioner responsible for Health and Consumer Protection, announced that 'Europe is at a crossroads in deciding the future of controls on tobacco'. Commissioner Byrne was looking forward to the forthcoming debate in the European Parliament on the Commission's Proposal for a Directive . . . on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products. Parliament is due to vote on the proposal on 13 June, and the Health Council is expected to adopt a Common Position when it meets on 29 June. According to David Byrne, 'The indications are that both institutions are broadly supportive of the Commission's proposals'. Background Tobacco and health Article 152 of the Treaty establishing the European Community [pdf] provides the legal basis for the Union's fight against smoking:
The Union already has a range of measures in place to counter tobacco consumption, which is responsible for over 500,000 deaths annually in the Member States. Although cigarette consumption is in gradual decline, young people - especially women - continue to take up smoking. A 1999 Commission Report on Progress achieved in relation to public health protection from the harmful effects of tobacco consumption [pdf] aimed to provide policy makers across the Union with a synopsis of the various measures being employed by the Member States to reduce smoking, and an evaluation of their effectiveness. Smoking is also an issue on the international public health agenda. The Gran Canaria Declaration on smoking prevention, adopted at the 2nd European Conference on Tobacco or Health, held in Spain on 23 February 2000, is intended to serve as the basis for a 'tobacco-free 21st century'. It will be presented to the United Nations for approval. On 22 October 1999 the Labour and Social Affairs Council adopted a Decision authorizing the Commission to participate in negotiations leading to a World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control - 'a new legal instrument that could address issues as diverse as tobacco advertising and promotion, agricultural diversification, smuggling, taxes and subsidies'. Tobacco production Whilst consumption of tobacco is a major health issue, production is a significant economic, social and regional problem. The EU grows 4.5&percent; of the world's tobacco, making it the fifth largest producer. Some 200,000 people are employed in tobacco production and processing in the Member States. 80&percent; of the Union's tobacco crop is grown in economically fragile regions, with few opportunities for diversification. The production and processing of tobacco encourages people to stay on the land, and EU subsidies account for more than 80&percent; of farmers' income from tobacco. In 1970 a Common Organisation of the Market (COM) was created, to help tackle the problems facing tobacco growers. The tobacco COM was radically reformed in 1992 but economic benefits were limited. A further reform was undertaken in 1998, with six fundamental aims: During Commissioner-Designate Fischler's confirmation hearing [page 6 of pdf document] before a European Parliament committee on 30 August 1999, he was asked 'Are we to take it that heavy subsidisation of a carcinogenic product is part of the European model of agriculture?' His response was: 'As you know, we have carried out a reform of the market organisation for tobacco after long and difficult discussions, above all with the Member States in which tobacco cultivation plays a major role. This reform will result in a significant restructuring in this area. But I ask you to understand that there is also an obligation for the Commission to pursue cohesion. The market organisation for tobacco itself is an important question of cohesion as there are actually regions - for example, in Greece - in which more than half of the farmers working there depend solely on tobacco cultivation.' 'Besides, I must point out that the carcinogenicity of tobacco is really the crucial factor and we must, of course, also concern ourselves with developing, producing low-nicotine and, above all, low-tar types of tobacco, carrying out research, etc. Here we also have a contribution to make. In all honesty . . . we must decide to what extent we will promote tobacco cultivation. Otherwise there will not be any . . . But I am also convinced that even if we no longer cultivate tobacco in Europe, smoking will not be given up by all Europeans and will continue to be practised.' In response to a similar question on tobacco subsidies, Commissioner-Designate Byrne admitted during his hearing [page 12 of pdf document] that 'It is the consumption of tobacco that is causing the illnesses and causing the deaths'. He went on to say that 'I was interested to see the reply that Commissioner Fischler gave to this question earlier in the week when he said that the mere phasing out of subsidies would not result in a reduction in the consumption of tobacco itself. What it is most likely to do is increase imports from other tobacco countries and I think he is right about that.' One of Mr Byrne's questioners said that 'I would draw the commissioner's attention to the fact that the payment of subsidies naturally also has a symbolic effect. Let's be honest, the tobacco which we produce in Europe is of such poor quality that Europeans have no desire at all to consume it. As a result, it is either destroyed or goes up in smoke outside Europe.' Tobacco and trade Tobacco is also an important trade commodity. Internal production meets only 30&percent; of demand, and the Union is the world's biggest tobacco importer. Ironically, because much of the EU's own tobacco is of poor quality, the Member States export it to third countries. According to the López Report: 'the EU is one of the world's largest exporters of cigarettes. A significant part of European tobacco production is exported, especially tobacco of poor quality which does not meet European standards. The main markets for this tobacco are central and eastern European countries, North Africa and republics of the former USSR, where living standards are often so low that the quality of the tobacco is less important than its price'. (Statistics provided by the US Foreign Agricultural Service show that, on an individual country basis, Italy is one of the world's largest tobacco exporters. Germany, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom are amongst the most significant importers of raw tobacco). Further information within European Sources Online: European Sources Online: European Voice, 28.10.1999: Further information can be seen in these external links: Anti-smoking sites Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) European Network for Smoking Prevention International Non Governmental Coalition Against Tobacco International Tobacco Control Network World Health Organisation Research and statistics Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco The Tobacco Group (US Dept of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service) Tobacco industry International Tobacco Growers' Association Tobacco Manufacturers Association (Further and subsequent information on the subject of this week's In Focus can be found by an 'Advanced Search' in European Sources Online by inserting 'tobacco' or 'smoking' in the keyword field and entering '“European Voice”' in the Series Title field). Eric Davies On World No Smoking Day 2000, held on 31 March, David Byrne, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer protection, suggested 'Europe is at a crossroads in deciding the future of controls on tobacco'. |
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| Subject Categories | Health |
