European Parliament overturns proposal to ban smoking and vaping on rooftops and playgrounds
This Thursday, the Plenary Session of the European Parliament rejected a proposal containing ideas to improve citizens’ protection against passive smoking in line with Brussels’ recommendation of a ban on smoking and vaping in some free places, such as Brussels. Terraces of bars and restaurants, playgrounds, bus stops or swimming pools.
A text agreed by the main parliamentary forces, including the Liberals of the European People’s Party (EPP), Socialists and Democrats (S&D), Renew (RE) and the Greens, came to the plenary meeting in Strasbourg (France), which, in the end, passed the vote. Did not happen because socialists withdrew their support considering many of the amendments promoted by conservatives He weakened the initially agreed commitment.
The European Parliamentary resolution arises from a recommendation presented by the European Commission last September, although lThe position of the European Parliament is not binding.
In fact, the Brussels proposal is not binding on member states because they They have exclusive jurisdiction over health policies, However the Community Executive has encouraged them to transfer this objective to their national strategies “taking into account their particular circumstances and needs”.
The European Parliament has failed to protect children and young people as the EPP coalition with far-right groups blocked recommendations needed to extend the ban on public spaces to prevent harm. electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products”, The text has been criticized by socialist negotiator Alessandra Moretti.
The situation “forced” the social democratic group to vote against the “thin” proposal in order to preserve it, the Italian MEP said. “The integrity of smoke-free policies.”
For its part, the ultra-conservative ECR has defended the amendments to reduce the proposed limits because it believes limiting electronic cigarette use to the level of traditional cigarettes is “going too far” and, according to its correspondent, In the words of Pietro Fiocchi, ban smoking outside “Violates personal liberty.”
For this reason, together with the EPP they supported an amendment defending that the Commission should have implemented “Better Impact Assessment.”» before pointing out the health risks of electronic cigarettes and other similar vaping products in its recommendation to Twenty-Seven. Another amendment was also approved to remove reference to rooftops of bars and cafes from the list of public places. Both smoking and vaping should be banned.
The group of conservatives and reformists defended in a statement that it supports the objective of achieving a tobacco-free generation by 2040 in the EU, where the number of smokers is less than 5% (compared to the current 25%). , but also criticizes it. Community Executive for “demonization” Alternatives to traditional cigarettes such as vaping.
“Scientific research is essential for us as co-legislators. When it comes to legislating, any new health law must be based on a strong empirical base that we get Allows us to protect all our citizens,” For her part, PP MEP Elena Nevado said in a statement.