The European Parliament struck down a proposed resolution that would have led to stricter smoking bans across the EU. Photo credit: Steven Lek, CC4.0.
A resolution advocating stricter smoking bans, originally supported by a majority of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), was ultimately defeated after right-wing groups successfully amended the text to exclude novel tobacco products, reports Euronews.
The European Parliament overwhelmingly rejected the resolution, with 378 votes against, 152 in favor, and 26 abstentions.
The proposal, initiated by the European Commission (EC), had the backing of four major political groups: the European People’s Party (EPP), the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), Renew Europe, and the Greens/EFA. However, its defeat followed the adoption of amendments proposed by the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), which sought to alter the original recommendations.
A significant portion of the EPP supported these amendments, breaking ranks with their initial coalition partners and drawing criticism from other political factions for the shift in stance.
The amendments aimed to differentiate the regulation of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products from that of traditional tobacco. These changes would have significantly altered the intent of the original proposal, which sought to extend current rules to address the risks associated with both vaping products and tobacco. EC’s recommendations included expanding smoking bans to outdoor spaces and incorporating innovative products, even those that do not contain nicotine, under stricter regulatory frameworks.
“The Commission ignores the fact that cigarette alternatives such as vaping continue to prove helpful for people trying to quit smoking,” the ECR said in a press release.
The group Patriots for Europe also opposed the text, arguing that the regulation of smoking bans falls exclusively within the jurisdiction of individual member states, not the European Union, according to Euronews sources.
One particularly debated element of the resolution was its proposal to extend smoking bans to outdoor and semi-outdoor spaces. These areas, including rooftops, balconies, porches, and patios associated with establishments like restaurants, bars, and cafes, were targeted for inclusion in the expanded restrictions.
The European Council is set to review EC’s proposal during an upcoming meeting of health ministers. While the proposed guidelines, if adopted, would not carry legal force, they aim to serve as a framework for member states.