WRITTEN QUESTION E-3059/00 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission. Manufacturing ban on high-tar cigarettes.
Date: 2000-09-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU employment policy, United Kingdom, market approval, tobacco industry

C 151 E/50

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.5.2001

do not exceed 1000 reproducing females. Nonetheless, the Commission is currently conducting relevant
scientific consultations on the suitability of possibly adopting an approach better adapted to the
Community(cid:146)s specific situation.

(1) OJ L 215, 30.7.1992.
(2) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.
(3) OJ L 214, 13.8.1999.

(2001/C 151 E/063)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3059/00

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(28 September 2000)

Subject: Manufacturing ban on high-tar cigarettes

Can the Commission indicate if it has carried out an impact study into the loss of jobs caused by a ban on
the manufacturing and export of cigarettes containing more than 10 mg of tar, called full-flavour
cigarettes.

If not, why is the Commission recommending such a course of action?

Is the Commission aware of a study published jointly by UK & I Operations(cid:146) representatives of British
American Tobacco, the MSF and the AEEU, indicating that 8 300 jobs are at risk in only two manufactur-
ing sites in England?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(29 November 2000)

The further proposed reduction from 12 miligram (mg) to 10 mg of the tar level in cigarettes (1) continues
a process begun with Council Directive 90/239/EEC of 17 May 1990 on the approximation of the laws,
regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning the maximum tar yield of
cigarettes (2). On the occasion of the substantial reductions introduced in the 1990 directive, no negative
economic or employment consequences were brought to the Commission(cid:146)s attention. The Commission is
not aware of any evidence to the effect that the much smaller decrease in tar level presently proposed
would have serious economic or employment consequences. These observations have been confirmed in
the assessment form attached to the new proposal.

According to the recent report of the World Bank (cid:145)Curbing the epidemic(cid:146) the effect of tobacco control on
employment could even be considered as positive (to the amount of 100 000 full-time equivalent jobs in
the United Kingdom) because of the money freed up from tobacco purchases and injected into other areas
of the economy (World Bank, Washington, 1999).

The Commission is aware of the estimates mentioned by the Honourable Member. Furthermore, the
Commission has met representatives of
the industry on several occasions during the last months.
According to the industry itself, exports from the Community are around 15 % of total production and
not all of these cigarettes would exceed the proposed ceiling.

However, in order to allow manufacturers sufficient time to adapt to these new Community standards the
Commission has proposed an extended transitional period.

According to the World Health Organisation, tobacco use is responsible for more than 500 000 deaths a
year within the Community.

(1) COM(2000) 428 final.
(2) OJ L 137, 30.5.1990.