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MEPs vote on anti-tobacco rules aimed at young smokers MEPs tighten anti-tobacco laws aimed at young smokers
(35 minutes later)
Euro MPs are voting on new measures aimed at putting young people off smoking, including bigger health warnings on cigarette packets and restrictions on electronic cigarettes. Euro MPs have voted to tighten tobacco regulations aimed at putting young people off smoking, but some measures do not go as far as originally planned.
Under the draft legislation from the European Commission e-cigarettes would become a medicinal product. They rejected a European Commission proposal to treat electronic cigarettes as medicinal products - a move that would have restricted sales.
Menthol cigarettes could be banned, along with other flavoured tobacco. They backed a ban on menthol cigarettes - but with a five-year delay. And slim cigarettes will not be banned.
Packs of 10 as well as slim cigarettes - marketed mainly to women - would no longer be sold. There will be more negotiations with EU governments before the law is adopted.
Smaller packs are reckoned to be more attractive to young smokers. Among other measures, MEPs voted on Tuesday to put health warnings on 65% of each cigarette pack, as opposed to the proposed 75%.
The MEPs voted to make health warnings cover 65% of cigarette packs. That was less than the 75% envisaged in the original draft, presented by British Labour MEP Linda McAvan.
The current requirement for health warnings is for 30% minimum coverage on one side and 40% on the other.The current requirement for health warnings is for 30% minimum coverage on one side and 40% on the other.
It is the European Parliament's first reading of a draft tobacco directive which could become law in 2014. There has been intense lobbying of MEPs by the tobacco industry and health campaigners.It is the European Parliament's first reading of a draft tobacco directive which could become law in 2014. There has been intense lobbying of MEPs by the tobacco industry and health campaigners.
The proposals also include a ban on words like "light", "mild" and "low tar", deemed to be misleading, and a ban on chewing tobacco - called snus - although Sweden would retain its exemption.The proposals also include a ban on words like "light", "mild" and "low tar", deemed to be misleading, and a ban on chewing tobacco - called snus - although Sweden would retain its exemption.
Once agreed, all 28 EU countries will have to make the measures law.Once agreed, all 28 EU countries will have to make the measures law.
After Tuesday's vote there will be further negotiations with the Council - the grouping of relevant EU ministers. MEPs may manage to avoid a second vote and fast-track the legislation so that it is adopted before the May 2014 European elections.After Tuesday's vote there will be further negotiations with the Council - the grouping of relevant EU ministers. MEPs may manage to avoid a second vote and fast-track the legislation so that it is adopted before the May 2014 European elections.
E-cigarette controversyE-cigarette controversy
The UK has already said e-cigarettes will be licensed as medicine from 2016.The UK has already said e-cigarettes will be licensed as medicine from 2016.
Sales of the tobacco-free devices have boomed worldwide since bans on smoking in public places were introduced.Sales of the tobacco-free devices have boomed worldwide since bans on smoking in public places were introduced.
But campaigners say their growing popularity is dangerous.But campaigners say their growing popularity is dangerous.
They argue that e-cigarettes undermine years of anti-smoking efforts and could be especially damaging to children and non-smokers.They argue that e-cigarettes undermine years of anti-smoking efforts and could be especially damaging to children and non-smokers.
The devices are designed to replicate smoking behaviour without the use of tobacco. They turn nicotine and other chemicals into a vapour that is inhaled.The devices are designed to replicate smoking behaviour without the use of tobacco. They turn nicotine and other chemicals into a vapour that is inhaled.
Manufacturers of e-cigarettes say the products have the potential to save millions of lives and should not be restricted because they could dramatically reduce smoking-related diseases.Manufacturers of e-cigarettes say the products have the potential to save millions of lives and should not be restricted because they could dramatically reduce smoking-related diseases.
Anti-smoking campaigners say young people especially are being tricked into taking up smoking.Anti-smoking campaigners say young people especially are being tricked into taking up smoking.
"Tobacco products should look and taste like tobacco products," said EU Health Commissioner Tonio Borg, presenting the proposals."Tobacco products should look and taste like tobacco products," said EU Health Commissioner Tonio Borg, presenting the proposals.
The new packaging requirements would also apply to roll-your-own tobacco.The new packaging requirements would also apply to roll-your-own tobacco.
The legislation would allow member states the option of plain, non-branded packaging "in duly justified cases".The legislation would allow member states the option of plain, non-branded packaging "in duly justified cases".
Healthcare costsHealthcare costs
The Commission says packets must be big enough to ensure full visibility for the health warnings, so the recommendation is at least 20 cigarettes per pack.The Commission says packets must be big enough to ensure full visibility for the health warnings, so the recommendation is at least 20 cigarettes per pack.
Fourteen EU states already have 20 as the minimum, four stipulate a minimum of 19, and in the UK and Italy the minimum is 10.Fourteen EU states already have 20 as the minimum, four stipulate a minimum of 19, and in the UK and Italy the minimum is 10.
The Commission says almost 700,000 Europeans die from smoking-related illnesses each year - equal to the population of Frankfurt or Palermo. The costs for healthcare in the EU are estimated to be at least 25.3bn euros (£20.6bn; $33.4bn) annually.The Commission says almost 700,000 Europeans die from smoking-related illnesses each year - equal to the population of Frankfurt or Palermo. The costs for healthcare in the EU are estimated to be at least 25.3bn euros (£20.6bn; $33.4bn) annually.
In 2009‐10, sales of tobacco products generated nearly £9bn ($14.6bn; 11bn euros) in taxes for the UK government, about 2% of all receipts from taxation, a government report said.In 2009‐10, sales of tobacco products generated nearly £9bn ($14.6bn; 11bn euros) in taxes for the UK government, about 2% of all receipts from taxation, a government report said.