HEALTH : COMMISSION WANTS TO BAN SMOKING IN ALL PUBLIC PLACES.

The European Commission aims to convince the EU to follow in the steps of Ireland, which on 29 March 2004 became the first member state to implement a total ban on smoking in public places. Its Green Paper, published on 30 January, suggests a number of options for achieving that goal. "The objective is for all the EU countries to follow Ireland's example," confirmed a spokesman. Interested parties have until May to submit comments on the economic and health benefits of a smoke-free environment, the scope of such a ban, the EU's role and the problem of exceptions. On the latter point, Ireland's law exempts hotel rooms, prisons and psychiatric hospitals.

The only EU rules applying to tobacco concern maximum nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide levels, advertising and health warnings on packages (Directive 2001/37/EC). The Commission is not, however, ruling out a harmonisation' of the smoke-free environment, depending on the outcome of the Green Paper. During his investiture at the European Parliament in October 2004, Commissioner Markos Kyprianou expressed the hope that all Europeans would enjoy the same protection as in Ireland by the end of his term in office.

"The trend is so clear that it is only normal to discuss it at European level," said a spokesman, stressing the wide support for and compliance with the measures in Ireland. A year after implementation, a survey shows that 93% of the Irish (and 89% of smokers) consider the law a good thing.

Norway (which is not in the EU), Italy, Malta, Sweden and Scotland have...

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