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

15 July 2013 - Approximately 700 000 EU citizens die prematurely every year because of tobacco consumption. A large proportion of these deaths are caused by respiratory diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and lung cancer. 70% of smokers start before the age of 18 and 94% before the age of 25 years, when lung damage already begins. The proposed Directive contains measures to prevent children and young people from picking up their first cigarettes. The final vote on the Tobacco Products Directive in the European Parliament will take place in September.

The European Respiratory Society (ERS) with the over 600 signatories so far, representing doctors and health professionals in respiratory diseases and research, call on you to vote for amendments that include the largest possible mandatory pictorial health warnings, standard packs, the prohibition of characterising flavours, and the strengthening of traceability and security features for combating illicit trade.

Seize the opportunity to vote for the strongest health-protecting Directive possible: please sign the petition at http://ersnet.org/online-petition.