SMOKE FREE PARTNERSHIP UPDATES

The European Commission consultation focused on updating the rules for tobacco and alcohol bought abroad and improving the misuse of existing cross-border arrangements for such purchases.

Brussels, 15 March 2021: SFP provided a reply to a public consultation on a roadmap on 'Fighting organised crime – EU strategy for 2021-25 '. Illicit trade of tobacco is a major source of revenue for Organised Crime Groups.

This year, the European Commission will introduce a proposal for a Directive on mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence for companies as part of its 2021 work plan and the European Green Deal. Under the initiative of the Belgian Alliance for a Smoke Free Society, Unfairtobacco, ASH US, and the Smoke Free Partnership, tobacco control stakeholders came together to work on this important issue.

Brussels, 3 February 2021: Smoke Free Partnership (SFP) welcomes the launch of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and its ambitious goals towards a Tobacco Free Generation by 2040. The EU shows ambition and leadership in tobacco control strategies, becoming the largest jurisdiction and one of only a handful around the world with a stated target to end tobacco use.

To prevent the growing uptake of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) by young people and reduce the products’ affordability, the Parliament of Ukraine increased taxes on tobacco products (Law 466-IX).

The European Commission roadmap focused on updating the rules for tobacco and alcohol bought abroad and improving the misuse of existing cross-border arrangements for such purchases.

With 2020 almost behind us, we are sharing our last newsletter for the year, in its special, holiday edition, with highlights of the year, as well as key materials and events. 

Brussels, 17 December: the latest, 2020 edition, of the SFP infographic on tobacco industry presence in the EU policy-making environment is out.

Brussels, 8 December 2020: the European Commission opened two roadmaps on tobacco taxation for feedback from relevant stakeholders.

December 2020: In light of the ongoing developments on Horizon Europe and its Mission on Cancer, the purpose of this document is to highlight the role of research for tobacco control, especially considering the crucial importance of tobacco control measures for public health. While the document focuses on Horizon Europe, due to the nature of tobacco as a commercial determinant for health the provided recommendations would mostly apply to its Cancer Mission. 

December 2020: Following our May 2020 publication 'EU tracking and tracing system fully applicable for cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco', available here, read more on SFP's main concerns on the status quo.

Brussels, 7 December 2020: Read the latest policy updates of the Smoke Free Partnership and the Coalition partners.

December 2020: The new SFP paper on the Investment Case for the Global Strategy focuses on outlining different pathways for funding, as well as on examples of existing ways to support implementation.

December 2020: Read the SFP Briefing focusing on the Illicit Trade Protocol (ITP) Ratification Status.

As an organisation belonging to the EU4Health Civil Society Alliance, the Smoke Free Partnership would like to highlight its support for the 10 Guiding Principles the Alliance prepared on the EU4Health programme ahead of the upcoming related discussions and votes.

Discover SFP's work throughout 2019 in our latest Annual Report.

Brussels, 31 July 2020: Read the latest policy updates of the Smoke Free Partnership and the Coalition partners.

July 30, 2020: That health must be placed in the centre of strategic and budgetary priorities should be the single most important lesson from the ongoing pandemic at supranational and national level. 

Brussels, 15 June 2020: SFP published its main points for consideration on the EU4Health programme proposal.

Brussels, 20 May 2020 – The Smoke Free Partnership welcomes the last phase of the entry into force of the EU tracking and tracing system for cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco.

Brussels, 20 May 2020 -- As of today, the EU-wide ban on cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco products with a characterising flavour takes full effect.

20 May 2020: today marks a historic moment - the full application of the EU ban on characterising flavours. The full statement from SFP as well as additional resources are available further below.

Brussels, 19 May 2020: SFP launched its latest briefing paper, titled Tobacco Control for Cancer Prevention.