The Commission welcomes the adoption by the Council on Tuesday 3 December of the revision of the Council Recommendation on a smoke-free environment. The revision of the recommendation aims to improve the protection of people, especially children, from secondhand smoke and aerosols. Also, the aim is to stop smoking being considered normal and to discourage the use of tobacco and other emerging products, especially among young people, but also to fight nicotine addiction.

Tobacco and nicotine consumption is the greatest preventable health risk and the leading cause of premature death in the European Union (EU). The revised recommendation calls on Member States to extend their smoke-free policies to key outdoor spaces, such as public playgrounds, the exteriors of healthcare and education facilities, public buildings and public transport stops. The recommendation places special emphasis on improving the protection of children and young people from the adverse effects of passive smoking.

The recommendation builds on actions already taken by some Member States at national level. The Commission will support Member States in implementing the recommendation, including with funding from the EU for Health programme. It is up to each Member State to consider and implement the recommendation in accordance with its national context.

Almost 700,000 lives are lost every year in the EU due to tobacco consumption. The aim of the European plan to fight cancer is to create a “smoke-free generation” by 2040 and to reduce tobacco use to below 5% of the population.

Athena Papakosta