MEPs struggle for consensus on tougher tobacco rules
MEPs are split over plans to revise rules on the sale and marketing of cigarettes.
Last week (30 May), the European Parliament’s environment, health and food safety committee discussed the almost 1,500 amendments that have been proposed to the European Commission’s plans to revise the tobacco products directive. The most serious divisions are over the Commission’s proposals to ban flavoured cigarettes and to require 75% of cigarette packets to be covered by graphic pictorial warnings.
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Linda McAvan, a centre-left British MEP who is guiding the legislation through the Parliament, has called for changes to the Commission’s proposal. She wants cigarette packs to have plain packaging and no branding. The Commission decided against such a move, partly because there is an ongoing case in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against Australia, the first country to introduce plain packs. Tobacco companies say the law violates their intellectual property rights.
McAvan said: “I think the EU should do what it thinks is right at this stage,” she said. “We know that tobacco companies will take the EU to court whatever happens, that is part of their tactics to keep governments from doing anything. The WTO will take its cue if it sees governments are moving ahead.”
Some member states’ concerns over the economic consequences of tighter restrictions are reflected in the amendments to McAvan’s report put forward by other MEPs. Health campaigners have complained that tobacco industry lobbyists are stoking fears of economic harm should the restrictions be implemented. Last week’s meeting featured accusations that some amendments put forward were suspiciously identical.
“There are exaggerations being put out there,” said McAvan. “We have to weigh the economic costs against the health costs of smoking.”
McAvan has also suggested that the EU go further than the Commission proposal by banning cross-border internet sales of cigarettes.
Electronic devices
E-cigarettes, which contain nicotine but no tar, carbon monoxide or smoke, have also proved controversial. The Commission’s proposal would class them as pharmaceutical products, which would require a lengthy authorisation procedure. Many MEPs are concerned that this would limit access to a useful anti-smoking tool.
The Commission’s proposal includes a nicotine threshold, with e-cigarettes containing small amounts of nicotine not classed as pharmaceuticals. Most member states back this approach.
The Parliament has scheduled a committee vote on the proposal for 10 July, with a plenary vote set for September. Ireland is pushing for a general agreement between member states this month, before it hands over the rotating presidency of the Council of Ministers to Lithuania.