In a joint statement released Tuesday, nine prominent European health organizations criticized the European Union for lagging in its response to the public health threat posed by tobacco.
Although recent initiatives by the European Commission, such as recommendations for more smoke-free environments, have been welcomed, the organizations argue that these steps fall short in combating the evolving strategies of the tobacco industry.
The coalition, which includes influential bodies like the European Cancer Organisation and the European Society of Cardiology, has accused the EU of “losing momentum” in its anti-tobacco efforts.
They emphasized the need for more robust legislative action to counter the industry’s rapid innovations and aggressive marketing tactics, particularly the increasing promotion of products such as heated tobacco and e-cigarettes.
Dr. Csaba L. Dégi, President of the European Cancer Organisation, voiced the urgency for action.
“There is simply no excuse for not taking more aggressive action against the tobacco industry. We have known for decades that tobacco kills, yet we are moving at a snail’s pace to address this clear and present public health threat,” he stated.
Dr. Dégi called on the European Commission to adopt a bolder stance, urging, “The Commission must say loud and clear: enough is enough.”
The joint statement pointed to Belgium as a striking example of the ongoing tobacco crisis, where over 9,000 people succumb to smoking-related illnesses annually—nearly one death every hour, according to the Belgian public health institute Sciensano.
Such figures underscore the lethal toll of tobacco across the EU, as well as the need for measures that go beyond recommendations.
The health organizations are calling on the next EU Commission to implement comprehensive strategies to curb the uptake of novel tobacco products.
Key recommendations include excise taxes on new tobacco innovations, bans on flavored accessories that appeal to younger demographics, and revised advertising directives.
The coalition also advocated for a formal monitoring mechanism to track the effectiveness of tobacco policies within member states, aiming to achieve the EU’s long-term goal of a “Tobacco-Free Generation by 2040″—defined as a society in which no more than 5% of the population uses tobacco products.
According to the joint statement, stricter regulatory measures are essential to disrupt the tobacco industry’s growing influence and innovation.
Many member states, including Belgium, are slated to implement new anti-tobacco legislation by 2025, which will include stricter limitations on smoking areas and the display of tobacco products.
However, the health organizations argue that an EU-wide approach is necessary to counter cross-border marketing and ensure unified action.
The coalition behind the call to action includes the European Cancer Organisation, the European Lung Foundation, the European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention, the European Respiratory Society, the European Society for Medical Oncology, the European Society of Cardiology, Lung Cancer Europe, Lungs Europe, and the Smoke-Free Partnership.
These organizations assert that addressing tobacco use must remain a top priority for the EU, with a focus on safeguarding public health from the ongoing risks posed by both traditional and novel tobacco products.
As the EU looks to shape its health policies in the coming years, health advocates are hopeful that the Commission will heed the coalition’s warnings, adopting a more aggressive stance against the tobacco industry to protect future generations.
