Read here the press release on FCTC disruptions: shorturl.at/tv83X

➡️ These disruptions include the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, wars, and political conflict.

➡️ Tobacco industry's influence over governments and policymakers is also compromising the implementation of the treaty, particularly Article 5.3.

💪On this 2025 World No Tobacco Day, the call to action is clear: we must stand united to protect the next generation and secure a healthier, tobacco-free future.

#WNTD2025 #TobaccoControl #PublicHealth

🗣️Also attending the event, Mr Vincent Karremans, Minister for Youth, Prevention and Sport of the Netherlands, emphasised the critical need to protect young people from aggressive marketing tactics designed to foster early addiction.

🏆 The event served as an opportunity to honour the recipients of the prestigious 2025 World No Tobacco Day Awards from the WHO European Region.

Among the awardees, Mr Frank Vandenbroucke, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health of Belgium.

❌ It is clear that the current legislation is no longer effective in reducing smoking prevalence nor it is adequate to address emerging market developments.

We urge the @ec.europa.eu to take decisive action on the matter NOW❗

📊
• Nearly one in four Europeans (24%) currently smokes.
• One in five young Europeans (22%) aged 15-24 have smoked as of 2023.
• Consumption of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) both reached an all-time high rate of 6% and 2% among the 15-24 age group in 2023.

Youth smoking in the EU rose from 20% in 2020 to 22% in 2023 and 34.5% of 15–16-year-olds in all ESPAD countries used e-cigarettes in 2024.

It’s time to #UnmaskTheAppeal! Let's push for stronger EU tobacco legislation! 💪

#TobaccoControlEU #WNTD2025 #SFP

➡️Tobacco Products Directive
➡️Tobacco Tax Directive
➡️Tobacco Industry Interference
➡️Beyond the Council Recommendation on Smoke and Aerosol-Free Environments
➡️Tobacco Industry Harm Reduction Narrative
➡️Tobacco Advertising

In the ENVI Committee, Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi asserted: “we should not only talk about traditional smoking, we should also talk about vaping.” He also stressed the need to go beyond the current Council Recommendation [on smoke-free environments]

➡️Raed Arafat (Romanian Secretary of State) put the focus on the lack of ambition to tackle serious health issues, such as those caused by tobacco consumption, and voiced concerns over the new products that appeal to our youth.

🚭On tobacco control:

➡️Lorena Boix-Alonso (Deputy Director General for Health at DG SANTE) said that prevention in health is key and indicated that the European Commission will be reviewing tobacco legislation.

➡️ Delays in publishing the EU4Health 2025 work programme directly threaten the implementation of public health policies and put the stability and function of civil society actors in danger.

@tillymetz.bsky.social @stinebosse.bsky.social

Read the letter here: tinyurl.com/33cktjhp