EU Parliament rejects outdoor smoking ban proposal, member States’ autonomy over health policies is key

The European Parliament has rejected a proposal to ban smoking outdoors, which did not receive majority support in Strasbourg, BRF reported on November 28.

The European Commission proposed in September to revise its recommendations on smoke-free areas. According to the proposal, areas frequented by children and young people, such as public playgrounds, swimming pools, and stations and train stations, should become smoke-free 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, as member states have autonomy over health policies. Therefore, the European Commission’s recommendations and the Parliament’s statement are not legally binding.