SMOKE FREE PARTNERSHIP UPDATES

Today, 29 September 2022, the Philip Morris Germany organises an “after work cocktail reception” in the strategically located Place du Luxembourg (PLUX) to “exchange ideas” with the assistants of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).

SFP and CEO sent a letter to MEPs urging them and their cabinet members in EU Parliament not to lend their credibility and profile to the tobacco industry and not to contribute to legitimising a company or an industry with such an abysmal track record. 

Brussels, 15 September 2022: the Board of the Smoke Free Partnership (SFP) is delighted to announce that Lilia Olefir has been appointed as SFP Director.

Fifteen members of the EU4Health Civil Society Alliance have called, in a joint statement, for the European Commission to include Operating Grants for health NGOs in the EU4Health 2023 Work Programme.

The Comité National Contre Le Tabagisme (CNCT), one of the Smoke Free Partnership (SFP) main partners, was instrumental in the incorporation of a mention of Article 5.3 in the ethics guide that was disseminated to all members of the French National Assembly.

The second edition of the SFP Newsletter is out.

Learn about policy updates, SFP policy materials submitted to the Commission and read the news from our partners.

This internship is an excellent opportunity for anyone willing to develop hands-on knowledge about EU-level policymaking, advocacy, and communications in the health, environment, and sustainability areas while working for a purpose in a motivated and mission-driven team.

On 25 July, Trends published a long interview with Frederic De Wilde, CEO of Philip Morris Europe. He labels his company as a good example of a sector in transition. But is this credible? Other newspapers published an article on 23 June regarding PMI’s takeovers and investments in wellness and healthcare, of all things.    

31 May is World No Tobacco Day, organized by WHO, World Health Organization. This year, 16 Swedish anti-tobacco organizations are investing in showing the difference between genuine joy and belonging and the false image conveyed in advertising for new nicotine products. With the help of Tiktok stars and Silent Disco flashmobs are organized around Sweden to sound the alarm that more and more young people are starting with white snus and puff bars.

Here is the first SFP newsletter of 2022! Here you will find highlights of the last months, as well as key materials and events. 

In February 2022, the advertising agency Mediatransports twice refused to allow the French public health group, ACT-Alliance contre le tabac to advertise in the Parisian subway and railway stations. The blocked advertisements are from ACT’s latest campaign “Change their future” which denounces the tobacco industry’s exploitation of young people.

SFP`s vision is a world where all children can grow up healthy and free from tobacco.  

The overarching goal of the SFP Coalition’s work programme is to prevent cancer and other non-communicable diseases through tobacco control advocacy, so as to improve the health of EU citizens and reduce health inequalities by promoting tobacco prevention at EU and Member State level with a special focus on young people.

Discover SFP's work throughout 2020 in our latest Annual Report.

Brussels, 14 February 2022:  Articles 15 and 16 of the Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU) , and its implementing and delegated acts established the first regional tobacco tracking and tracing system for tobacco products. It aims to support Member States in controlling the supply chain of tobacco products legally manufactured or imported on the EU’s internal market, and in meeting the EU’s and Member States’ obligations under Article 8 of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products.

SFP is joining its voice to 11 organisations to support the report developed by the European Parliament’s Special Committee on Beating Cancer (BECA); and call on Members of the European Parliament to adopt the report during the plenary vote of February with no weakening of its recommendations on cancer prevention.

The Smoke Free Partnership (SFP) was created in order to advocate at EU and national level for the implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. For a decade and a half, it provided a key voice in public health in Europe, advocating for the adoption of policies and legislation to help reduce tobacco use.

The SFP Board announces the departure of the SFP Director, Anca Toma, after 4 years in this position and 10 in the organisation, to take up a new professional challenge at the end of February 2022.

Brussels, 16 December: the latest 2021 edition, of the SFP infographic on tobacco industry presence in the EU policy-making environment is out.

Brussels, 13 December 2021: Read the latest policy updates of the Smoke Free Partnership and the Coalition partners.

Brussels, 7 December 2021: the new EU Tobacco Industry Index released by SPF today, with the support of ENSP, EPHA, CEO and ECL, shows revived efforts by the tobacco industry to influence the EU policy making process.

The EHN published a paper in September 2021, focusing on Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) and their harmful impact on the cardiovascular system. Find out more and access the full paper here.

The Policy Officer supports the implementation of the SFP strategy and annual work plans. S/he will work closely with the SFP Director within a small team and will have policy campaign responsibilities. S/he will have a responsibility to execute SFP’s communications strategy and will represent SFP and its positions externally.