WRITTEN QUESTION E-1728/99

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 September 1999)

Subject: Shift of emphasis in health policy

Under the Common Agricultural Policy the EU provides annual subsidies totalling 1 000 million euro for the cultivation of tobacco. In contrast, only 11 million euro are earmarked for the Europe against cancer programme. At the same time, however, there is evidence of a steady increase in the incidence of tumours.

This being so, does the Commission intend:

- to ensure a gradual reallocation of financial resources for the benefit of public health in general?

- to secure a reduction in nicotine consumption by raising the cost of tobacco products?

- to improve monitoring of the various ingredients of tobacco products through appropriate legislation?

- to regard the tobacco control issue in future as a priority objective of European health policy as stated by the new Commissioner for consumer protection and health, David Byrne, at his hearing?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(15 November 1999)

The Honourable Member is referred to the Commission's report(1) of September 1999 describing the measures it has taken at Community level since publication of its 1996 communication(2). Many of these measures are specifically related to the Honourable Member's question. The research and information fund set up in 1994, in conjunction with the reform of the common agricultural policy, by Council Regulation (EEC) 2075/92 of 30 June 1992 on the common organisation of the market in raw tobacco(3), applied in accordance with Commission Regulation (EEC) 2427/93(4), has been boosted by increasing the levy imposed on tobacco growers as a contribution to the fund from 1 % to 2 %.

Concerning tax on tobacco products, Council Directive 1999/0081/EC was adopted on 29 July 1999, amending Directive 92/0079/EEC on the approximation of taxes on cigarettes, Directive 92/0080/EEC on the approximation of taxes on manufactured tobacco other than cigarettes and Directive 95/0059/EC on taxes other than turnover taxes which affect the consumption of manufactured tobacco(5).

In 1997, the Commission asked all Member States for information on their policies regarding additives contained in cigarettes. The analysis of the replies reveals a considerable measure of disparity between the rules in force and sets out the legal situation in the Member States concerning tobacco additives. This situation should be taken into account in all future Community legislation.

Since adoption of Directive 98/0043/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 1998 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to the advertising and sponsorship of tobacco products(6), the Commission has been re-examining the directives in force concerning tobacco product labelling and the maximum tar contents of cigarettes. Given the proposals set out in the communication, in the opinions of the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee and in the recommendations of the high-level committee of cancer experts, and in the light of the observations made by the industry and non-governmental organisations, this re-examination is now at an end. The resulting proposal will be sent to Parliament and to the Council as soon as it is adopted by the Commission.

(1) COM(1999) 407 final.

(2) COM(96) 609 final.

(3) OJ L 215, 30.7.1992.

(4) OJ L 223, 2.9.1993.

(5) OJ L 211, 11.8.1999.

(6) OJ L 213, 30.7.1998.