WRITTEN QUESTION E-2333/02

by Markus Ferber (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 July 2002)

Subject: WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

What is the Commission's general attitude to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control? Where does it stand on the individual obligations such as abolishing subsidies for tobacco growing, payments from industrialised countries to help developing countries implement the Convention, financial aid in converting from tobacco to other products, banning cigarette machines, banning sales to young people, etc?

Does the Commission consider it sensible as the Council demands in its conclusions on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, adopted in June 2001 to make resources available to developing countries? It seems for example very doubtful in the light of political developments in Zimbabwe, one of Africa's largest tobacco-producing countries, whether Mr Mugabe should be provided with even more EU funds for his policies.

Why have the Commission and Council not involved the European Parliament in the negotiations and conclusion of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(30 September 2002)

The Commission very strongly supports the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), and plays a very active part in the FCTC negotiations. In fact, the Commission is of the opinion that the FCTC process provides a unique opportunity for influencing the global climate for tobacco control policy, and for curbing the tobacco epidemic which leads to the loss of four million lives every year world-wide. In fact, if current trends continue, the WHO estimates that this toll will rise to ten million by 2030.

In the FCTC negotiations, the Commission does not speak on its own behalf, but only on behalf of the Community and its Member States. Moreover, it takes the floor only on issues under Community competence, while those under Member States' competence are dealt with by the Presidency. In many crucial tobacco control areas covered by the FCTC, the Community showed a strong and united position, which was fully supported by a large number of delegations, and thus established itself as a major player in tobacco control at a global level.

As far as tobacco subsidies within the Union are concerned, the Commission is committed to phasing out these subsidies. This means that the phasing out of subsidies will have to go along with

simultaneously putting in place measures to develop alternative sources of income and economic activity for tobacco workers and growers. The Commission has made this clear in its communication to the Gothenburg European Council (15/16 June 2001), and in its recent proposals for a modification of the tobacco regime, where a reference to phasing out the subsidies was however not supported by the Parliament and the Council. Therefore, in the FCTC context, the Commission speaking on behalf of the Community was only able to refer to the ongoing discussions on modifications to the tobacco regime, and to show the Commission's readiness to move forward in this area.

Tobacco sales through vending machines and tobacco sales to minors are issues falling under Member States' competence, and in the FCTC context they are therefore dealt with by the Presidency. However, these issues are addressed in a proposal for a Council Recommendation on the prevention of smoking and on initiatives to improve tobacco control, which the Commission has recently adopted(1). In the preparations for the next round of FCTC negotiations, the Commission will defend the recommendations contained in this proposal.

As far as resources for developing countries are concerned, in the FCTC negotiations the Community has recognised the importance of technical and financial assistance to support smoking control. The increasing use of tobacco, particularly in a number of middle-income developing countries, poses a serious long-term threat to public health. The Community has expressed a preference, in this context, for making optimum use of existing instruments, rather than creating new mechanisms. This issue will also be addressed in a high level round table on tobacco control and development policy which the Commission will organise in the coming months. The results of this event will then feed into the Community position for the final phase of the FCTC negotiations. With respect to the reference made to the political situation in Zimbabwe, following the Council Decision on 18 February 2002(2), the Commission has suspended support for all projects except those directly supporting the population. In current circumstances, the Commission does not foresee any support for tobacco control in Zimbabwe.

Finally, the Commission would like to point out that Members of the Parliament have in fact been included as observers in the Community's delegation in the previous four FCTC negotiating rounds. During the two last rounds (October 2001 and March 2002), the Parliament was represented by the Honourable Member Mrs M. Malliori. At the next round, (14-25 October 2002), the Parliament will be represented by the Honourable Member J. Maaten. Members of the Parliament have also been invited to preparatory and debriefing meetings which the Commission has organised before and after negotiating rounds.

(1) COM(2002) 303 final.

(2) Decision 2002/148/EC.