From today, all european countries must comply with the tobacco products directive, whose measures for tobacco productson the european internal market aim to reduce the numbers of tobacco users with a particular focus on discouraging young people from taking up smoking and to ensure that citizens across the european Union are fully aware of the harmful effects of tobacco use.
Some european countries have already transposed the Directive into national law, and have encouraged an effective enforcement of the new rules in all Member States without delay.
The anti-tobacco momentum which has emerged in the european Union in recent years – as evidenced by falling smoking rates and the introduction of plain packaging in some Member States – will continue to grow.
The benefits of falling smoking rates are clear: not only do people enjoy better health and wellbeing, and significantly lower rates of chronic diseases and premature death related to tobacco, there is also a substantial economic benefit.
A reduction in tobacco consumption of just 2% translates into annual healthcare savings of approximately €506 million for the european Union.
Once the new rules are applied and enforced in all 28 european countries they will play a vital role in amplifying and consolidating the progress made to date. This makes the new Tobacco Products Directive a true triumph and a lasting legacy for public health in the european union.
