"EU Revises Outdoor Smoking and E-Cigarette Regulations in Recommendations for the First Time in 15 Years"

"Recommendation to Implement No-Smoking Policy in Outdoor Areas"
"E-cigarettes Misunderstood as 'Smoking Cessation Tools'"
No Legal Binding Force

Flag symbolizing the European Union. Photo by Pixabay

The European Union (EU) has recommended all member states to ban outdoor smoking and regulate electronic cigarettes.

Stella Kyriakides, EU Commissioner for Health, held a press conference on the 17th (local time) in Strasbourg, France, and announced a revised "Recommendation on Smoke-Free Environments." The revision includes a recommendation for all 27 member states to "introduce smoke-free policies in major outdoor areas when establishing smoke-free environment policies."

Specific locations mentioned include playgrounds, swimming pools, and other places where children gather frequently, outdoor areas connected to medical and educational facilities, public transportation stops, and service facilities. Among these, service facilities appear to refer to outdoor terraces of restaurants and pubs, which have been considered primary places of secondhand smoke exposure in Europe. According to the Commission, a recent survey showed that 74% of respondents reported having experienced secondhand smoke on outdoor terraces.

Additionally, the Commission recommended strengthening regulations on electronic cigarettes, including heated tobacco products (HTPs). Some member states, such as Belgium, have already implemented their own regulations, including bans on the sale of disposable e-cigarettes. However, this is the first time the EU has announced the need for electronic cigarette regulations at the EU level. This recommendation is a response to the recent increase in young people using electronic cigarettes across Europe. Currently, youths in Europe can purchase and use electronic cigarettes. The Commission pointed out, "The market share of electronic cigarettes is rapidly increasing," and added, "These products often carry misconceptions regarding safety and usefulness. They are frequently promoted as 'smoking cessation tools.'" Furthermore, citing a World Health Organization (WHO) report, the Commission stated, "(Aerosol secondhand exposure from electronic cigarettes) can potentially have harmful health effects," and added, "The use of new (electronic cigarette) products is associated with an increased risk of nicotine addiction."

Meanwhile, this revision of the Commission's smoke-free policy recommendation is the first in 15 years since 2009. Recommendations, a type of EU legislative instrument, are non-binding and serve as guidelines for member states to refer to when developing related policies.