Smoking: to ban or not to ban?
According to European Commission statistics, tobacco and nicotine consumption is the biggest preventable health risk and the leading cause of premature deaths. Member states are being called upon to expand smoke-free zones and ban new products that appeal to young consumers. Europe's media take a closer look at national strategies.
Key measure missing
The Spanish government wants to tighten its already stringent smoking ban and extend it to e-cigarettes and areas around schools and sports facilities as well as outdoor café terraces and bus stops. La Vanguardia comments:
“Governments are somewhat hypocritical when on the one hand they fiercely combat consumption but on the other they permit sales and benefit from the taxes. ... One crucial point has fallen by the wayside: the Ministry of Finance should allow a drastic increase in the price of a pack of cigarettes, perhaps even to the twelve euros suggested by doctors. ... Without this measure the others are useful, but just a drop in the ocean.”
A moral crusade
France is also in the process of tightening its tobacco laws. The Spectator does not approve:
“It's no longer enough to discourage smoking, smokers must be pushed out of sight. What was once a vice is now treated like public indecency. This isn't really about second-hand smoke. It's about control, dressed up as compassion. ... What began as health policy now feels like a moral crusade, or perhaps even social engineering. You're not just lighting a cigarette, you're committing a civic transgression. While this ban is dressed up as protecting children, its true target is the adult who still thinks they should be allowed to behave like one.”
Involve young people
Le Quotidien praises progressive measures in Luxembourg:
“France is tackling the problem, yes, but without taking all its dimensions into account. ... There Health Minister Catherine Vautrin has made it clear that the ban will not apply to e-cigarettes - an omission that could prove costly. Luxembourg, meanwhile, continues to think ahead. A new PR campaign was launched on 31 May, co-created with young people and aimed at debunking common misconceptions and reminding people that trendy nicotine-based products are highly addictive. Because prevention, too, must evolve with the times.”