EU Parliament rejects outdoor smoking ban proposal; Member States' autonomy over health policies is key

EU Parliament rejects outdoor smoking ban proposal; Member States' autonomy over health policies is key

The European Parliament rejected the outdoor smoking ban proposal, and each member state will decide whether to adopt the European Commission's recommendations, as the European Commission's recommendations and parliamentary statements are not legally binding.

According to BRF on November 28, the European Parliament rejected the proposal to ban smoking outdoors, which did not receive majority support in Strasbourg.

The European Commission proposed in September to revise its recommendations on smoke-free areas. According to the proposal, areas where children and teenagers frequently play, such as public playgrounds and swimming pools, as well as stations and train stations, should become smoke-free areas in the future. These bans apply not only to cigarettes, but also to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

EU member states are expected to decide next week whether to adopt the European Commission's recommendations. The vote of the European Parliament has no impact on this decision.

Even if the Brussels proposal is eventually accepted, it does not mean that these outdoor smoking bans will be universally implemented, because member states have autonomy over health policies. Therefore, the European Commission's recommendations and parliamentary statements are not legally binding.