On 31 May, this year's World No Tobacco Day will focus on the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), a comprehensive international treaty negotiated under the auspices of the WHO, adopted in May 2003 and in force since February 2005. Parties signing up to the FCTC – over 170 countries to date – agree to take effective measures to protect people from tobacco consumption.
The EU was a driving force in developing the FCTC and has had an impact on many of its provisions. We bring a lot of experience and good practices to the table, but we are also eager to learn from other countries’ methods, policies and laws. We can always do better.
For example, our Tobacco Products Directive is designed to harmonize many features of these products for the whole of Europe while ensuring a high level of health protection. The Directive has been a step in the right direction, but at 10 years old it is becoming outdated. Many of the questions we face today were not an issue in 2001. For example, how we deal with novel smokeless tobacco or nicotine products, with sales over the internet, or with flavours and ingredients that make tobacco attractive to young people?
Tobacco control requires a multi-pronged approach – legislation is very important but we also need education, information and awareness raising: Active campaigning in the EU to prevent and reduce tobacco use is crucial. Our previous EU campaign, HELP (2005 10), focused on smoking prevention among young people. This year, we will launch a new campaign to encourage 25-34 year olds to stop smoking. The new campaign shifts the focus from the dangers of smoking to the physical, mental and financial advantages of quitting smoking.
We aim to deliver on tobacco control, for the safety and well-being of our citizens, a healthier Europe, and to be a leading voice in global health policy on tobacco control.
