SMOKE FREE PARTNERSHIP UPDATES

Brussels - SFP congratulates Commisioner Borg, James Reilly TD and Vytenis Andriukaitis on the award of their World No Tobacco Day 2014 prize.

Read Linda McAvan's guest post on Cancer Research UK's Science blog.

Strasbourg - Following the successful adoption of the compromise text by the European Parliament, the Smoke Free Partnership held a thank you event in the European Parliament’s seat of Strasbourg.

Strasbourg. The Smoke Free Partnership today welcomes the European Parliament’s vote in support of the Tobacco Products Directive.

Brussels - SFP welcomes the compromise agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on the Tobacco Products Directive.

Strasbourg - The European public health community cautiously welcomes the European parliament’s plenary vote today to start negotiations with the Council in view of reaching agreement on a Tobacco Products Directive (TPD).

On World No Tobacco Day 2014, which was dedicated to raising tobacco taxes, the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Eruope published a number of resources and tools on tobacco taxtion.

Brussels - The postponement of the debate and vote on the Tobacco Products Directive until October by the heads of political groups in the European Parliament is condemned by the Smoke Free Partnership.

Brussels, July 2013- The European Respiratory Society Tobacco Control Committee invites everyone to sign its petition calling for the strongest possible Tobacco Products Directive.

Brussels - ENVI Committee adopts pictorial health warnings covering 75% of tobacco packets; full ban on characterising flavours; ban on slim cigarettes; strengthens the control of the supply chain to help prevent illicit tobacco trade; upholds the Member States’ right to adopt stronger national measures.

Brussels - European public health and transparency organisations send a letter to Commission President Barroso asking for the consistent implementation of Article 5.3 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Brussels - The publication of the Tobacco Products Directive proposal is welcome, but its provisions can be improved. The Smoke Free Partnership calls on Members of the European Parliament and on EU governments to strengthen its provisions and to adopt a final act by mid-2014.

Brussels - The SFP is concerned that the resignation of the Health Commissioner John Dalli threatens to further delay the review of the Tobacco Products Directive, a process already slowed down following intense lobbying by the tobacco industry and its allies.

Brussels - European Commission - DG Development and Cooperation organises a briefing.

31 May 2012 - Focus on tobacco industry interference.

16 April 2012 - France finalised a decision to introduce graphic health warnings on all cigarette packages and this week Australia unveiled plans to become the first country to introduce mandatory standardised packaging.

14 October 2011, Brussels - A group of MEPs, NGOs, charities, researchers and business representatives wrote to the President of the European Commission calling for a speedy revision of the Tobacco Products Directive.

October 2011, The Netherlands - A Dutch documentary entitled “Minister of Tobacco” has recently been released detailing alleged links between the Netherlands Minister of Health, Edith Schippers, and the tobacco industry.

New York, September 2011- 15,000 people die from tobacco every day. Save millions by taking action now.

May 2011, Malta - Pictorial warnings on the packaging of tobacco products sold in Malta have now become mandatory.

February 2011, Canada - The Canadian Government has proposed tough new regulations to strengthen tobacco labelling requirements in Canada.

December 2010, Madrid - Spain has just introduced a new law, tightening the weak restrictions introduced in 2006 by forbidding smoking in all enclosed public spaces.

21 September 2010, Barcelona - A coalition of national and international tobacco control and public health experts, urged the Spanish Parliament to pass legislation to make all enclosed public places in Spain completely smokefree.

November 2009 - According to the latest World Health Organisation data, almost one in five deaths in rich countries is caused by smoking.