WRITTEN QUESTION No. 105/98 by Marjo MATIKAINEN-KALLSTRÖM to the Commission. Classification of tobacco smoke as a carcinogenic agent
Date: 1998-01-30
Institutions: European Parliament, MATIKAINEN-KALLSTROEM
Subjects: cancer, carcinogenic substance, disease prevention, public health, smoking, tobacco, workplace

17. 7. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 223/113

(98/C 223/143)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0103/98

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission

(30 January 1998)

Subject: Urgent European aid to mitigate the consequences of the serious communication problems affecting the

city of Ferrol (Galicia, Spain) due to storm damage

On 13 January 1998 a violent storm caused an oil platform to break loose of its moorings, damaging the As P(cid:14)·as
bridge, which is the only direct route to the city of Ferrol (Galicia, Spain). The city and surrounding district have
been  experiencing  a  serious  economic  crisis  for  some  time,  and  the  enclave  has  benefited  from  a  number  of
economic  plans  geared  to  industrial  recovery  as  part  of  the  Objective  1  region  comprising  the  Autonomous
Community of Galicia.

In view of this serious situation, solidarity on the part of the EU is called for in the form of aid to mitigate the
acute problems caused in this city and district.

Can the Commission provide information on urgent and extraordinary aid which might be supplied by the EU
with a view to alleviating the consequences of these new problems?

Can it say what steps it intends to take in this connection?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(19 March 1998)

Given the nature and purpose of the Structural Funds, there is no line of funding expressly dedicated to urgent
and extraordinary aid. Nevertheless, consideration would be given by the Commission to any proposal made by
national or regional authorities requesting specific funding for this project within the framework of a programme
under the Community support framework for Spain.

With regard to the possibility of emergency aid for those affected, the Commission must point out that this form
of symbolic assistance has not been possible since the removal of Community budget line B4-3400 with effect
from the current financial year.

(98/C 223/144)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0105/98

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

(30 January 1998)

Subject: Classification of tobacco smoke as a carcinogenic agent

In his answer to my question E-2247/97 (1), Commissioner Flynn stated that the Commission does not at present
propose to classify tobacco smoke as a carcinogenic agent. There is a great deal of undisputed scientific evidence
about the link between tobacco smoke and cancer. However, the Commission does not intend to take account of
this in its programme on protecting non-smokers from the effects of passive smoking.

In view of the above, I should like to put a follow-up question:

How does the Commission justify the fact that it does not intend to classify tobacco smoke as a carcinogenic
agent  even  though  the  link  between  tobacco  smoke  and  cancer  is  at  the  very  heart  of  the  debate  on  passive
smoking?

(1)  OJ C 76, 11.3.1998, p. 82.

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(17 March 1998)

The  Commission  has  no  doubts  in  agreeing  with  the  Honourable  Member  that  there  is  convincing  scientific
evidence that there is a increased risk of cancer and other diseases for people systematically exposed to tobacco
smoke. The Commission also agrees that this justifies measures to protect non-smokers from the health effects of
breathing tobacco smoke of other people.