Published 2 July 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b2694
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b2694

News

European Commission urges countries to introduce ban on smoking in public places

Rory Watson

1 Brussels

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

European Union governments are being urged to follow the example of the United Kingdom and Ireland and impose a wide ranging smoking ban within the next three years.

The call is coming from the European Commission, which has adopted a recommendation requesting firm national measures to protect citizens from tobacco smoke.

Announcing the new anti-tobacco campaign, the EU health commissioner, Androulla Vassiliou, said: "There is a wave of support from the general public and we will work with member states to make this a reality."

According to a pan-European Eurobarometer survey, 84% of those questioned in December 2008 support smoke-free offices and other indoor workplaces, 77% restaurants, and 61% bars, pubs, and cafes.

Ireland took the lead in 2004—one year after the World Health Organization’s framework convention on tobacco control was adopted—by introducing a total ban on smoking in all enclosed public places, including bars and restaurants, and on public . . . [Full text of this article]


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