WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2387/97 by Marjo MATIKAINEN-KALLSTRÖM to the Commission. The effects of nicotine
Date: 1997-07-10
Institutions: European Parliament, MATIKAINEN-KALLSTROEM
Subjects: carcinogenic substance, dangerous substance, drug addiction, health policy, labelling, narcotic, public awareness campaign, public health, smoking, tobacco industry

11. 3. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 76/105

Will the Commission say whether it intends to introduce programmes to provide immediate financial assistance
for those Members States which are experiencing serious difficulties as a result of low birth rates or whether
there are other possibilities of providing incentives to increase birth rates in the EU Member States?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(10 September 1997)

The  Commission  is  aware  of  the  current  decline  in  population  and  of  its  implications.  There  has  been  a
particularly sharp decrease in the birth rate in the Mediterranean region, including Greece. This demographic
trend has been mentioned in the recent Commission 1997 report on the demographic situation in the European
Union (1).

The provision of incentives to combat low birth rates is a matter for the Member States. Even if a number of
initiatives have been taken in order to raise public awareness of this issue, such as recommendations in a number
of areas which may be seen as related to the demographic trend, the Commission does not intend to go further,
given its limited role in this area.

(1)  COM(97) 361.

(98/C 76/207)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2387/97

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallstro¤m (PPE) to the Commission

(10 July 1997)

Subject: The effects of nicotine

Nicotine  is  a  substance  which  affects  the  central  nervous  system  and  is  a  stimulant  and  relaxant.  It  causes
permanent  dependence  on  a  par  with  that  caused  by  heroine  and  cocaine.  In  practice,  smoking  is  the  most
common way of taking nicotine. At the same time it is known that around 30% of all cancer cases in the EU are
caused by smoking. However, in many cases, people(cid:146)s decision to smoke is not voluntary but is determined by
the level of nicotine within the organism.

How serious a view does the Commission take of nicotine dependence and its causative agent › smoking? What
will the Commission do to reduce nicotine dependence in Europe?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(10 September 1997)

The  Commission,  in  its  communication  on  the  present  and  proposed  Community  role  in  combating  tobacco
consumption (1) refers to the question of reducing nicotine dependency. Several policy options are identified,
which can only be realised with the active support of other Community institutions and of the Member States. In
particular, it is envisaged that nicotine addiction be considered as a dependency, thus allowing it to be tackled
through  the  relevant  Community  public  health  programmes.  It  is  also  envisaged  to  consider  the  case  for
introducing a maximum level of nicotine in cigarettes. At present, Community rules only oblige such levels to be
indicated on product packaging, without imposing limits.

An option identified for improving cooperation between the Member States concerns the provision of smoking
cessation medications (nicotine chewing gums, nicotine patches) at minimal or no cost to smokers. The provision
of a toll free number to inform and help consumers on the dangers of smoking is also considered desirable. Those
options form part of a wider smoking prevention strategy set out in the Commission(cid:146)s communication.

(1)  COM(96) 609 final.