The Tobacco or Health in the European Union: past, present and future, or the ASPECT report, was published in October 2005 and launched by Commissioner for Health and Consumer, David Byrne, at a press conference in Brussels.

The Tobacco or Health in the European Union: past, present and future, or the ASPECT report, was published in October 2005 and launched by Commissioner for Health and Consumer, David Byrne, at a press conference in Brussels.

The ASPECT report was the first comprehensive overview of the tobacco epidemic in the enlarged EU and it includes:

• all the latest evidence on the health effects of tobacco use and exposure
• the economic evidence
• a history of EU policy on tobacco control
• a review of the most effective policy interventions and what works in Europe
• a chapter on effective tobacco product regulation
• a chapter analysing industry efforts to block tobacco control legislation and policies in Europe
• 40 recommendations for a comprehensive tobacco control strategy.

For a summary of key facts and figures and the ASPECT recommendations, please consult the ASPECT factsheet.