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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2024/2911(RSP))

On the Council’s recommendation on smoke- and aerosol-free environments

B-10-2024-0174

on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Laurent Castillo

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament supports the goal of a tobacco-free generation by 2040 and welcomes the proposed Council recommendation on smoke- and aerosol-free environments, but stresses the need for an impact assessment and more research on new products. It calls on Member States to extend smoking bans to new products and outdoor areas, and on the Commission to propose updates to relevant directives and report on progress.

Key points

  1. Reiterates support for the tobacco-free generation goal and underlines the need to step up efforts to achieve it by 2040.
  2. Welcomes the proposal for an updated Council recommendation and considers the increasing use of new products in public spaces a potential public health risk.
  3. Considers that an impact assessment should have been conducted before the proposal, including on the hotel, restaurant and catering sectors.
  4. Underlines that smoke-free environments protect both non-smokers and smokers, and reiterates that e-cigarettes could help some smokers quit.
  5. Calls on Member States to consider extending smoking bans to new and emerging products emitting smoke or aerosols, after considering evidence of risks.
  6. Calls on Member States to extend smoke-free environments to key outdoor areas, including workplaces, educational establishments, healthcare facilities, public transport and recreational areas.
  7. Considers that bans should ensure maximum protection for children, young people, pregnant women and other vulnerable groups.
  8. Calls on the Commission and Member States to research risks of second-hand exposure to heated tobacco products and aerosols, and assess risks compared to tobacco smoke.
  9. Expresses concern over black market vaping products and calls for improved measures to prevent their illegal entry to the market.
  10. Welcomes EU4Health funding but has grave concerns about the EU's long-term investment in health.
  11. Calls on the Commission to propose amendments to tobacco advertising, taxation and products directives after reviewing scientific evaluations.
  12. Invites the Commission to report to Parliament and the Council 4 years after adoption on progress in implementation.

Who is affected

  • Member States: called on to extend smoking bans to new products and outdoor areas, and to implement measures against black market vaping products.
  • Commission: called on to propose amendments to directives and report on progress, and to provide funding and research.
  • Children, young people, pregnant women and other vulnerable groups: targeted for maximum protection from second-hand exposure.
  • Hotel, restaurant and catering sectors: mentioned as needing impact assessment.

Figures and deadlines

  • 2040: target year for tobacco-free generation.
  • 4 years after adoption: Commission to report on progress.

Legal basis: Article 168 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union