The European Union wants to further restrict smoking outdoors. In the future, smokers will have to do without their cigarettes in places such as bus and tram stops, in amusement parks, on lawns, in outdoor pools and in front of public buildings.
According to a report by „Bild“ The EU aims to create a “smoke-free generation” by 2040. The example is Great Britain, which is planning to ban smoking in front of bars. The EU Commission has therefore recommended that all member states introduce outdoor smoking ban zones.
The EU argues that tobacco use causes 700,000 deaths in the EU every year, including tens of thousands from second-hand smoke. The outdoor smoking ban is intended to promote the “de-normalization of the consumption of traditional tobacco products and new products,” said Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides.
Criticism of the EU plans
Hesse’s European Minister Manfred Pentz (CDU) is outraged and speaks of a “ban EU”. He expressed his concerns to “Bild”: “The EU has long been criticized for interfering in too many areas of life. Open-air smoking bans definitely fall into this category. Even if we put up no smoking signs everywhere. We can neither enforce this effectively nor should we want to.”
Pentz sees the EU’s plan as overregulation: “It borders on running the gauntlet for smokers and simply goes too far. Many citizens have real existential concerns. The EU is well advised to address these concerns.” The request will be voted on in the European Parliament in the coming weeks.
