WRITTEN QUESTION E-0432/04 by Helle Thorning-Schmidt (PSE) to the Commission. Passive smoking.
Date: 2004-02-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Ireland, Spain, catering industry, health policy, occupational health, public health, smoking, working environment, workplace

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/395

(cid:1) This project is already at an advanced stage and the consortium intends to test experimental protoypes

at Cameri military aiport in Piedmont and to apply for preliminary licensing by 2007.

(cid:1) The European Commission has in the past drafted a similar project to build a convertiplane, given

different acronyms such as TILT-ROTOR and ERICA.

Can the Commission indicate:

(cid:1) whether it is true that it has drafted another plan of the same kind with the new acronym FINE TRIP
and with projected costs of between EUR 90 000 million and EUR 100 000 million until 2015 to
build a 10-tonne convertiplane with 20 passenger berths, and that it awarded the contract exclusively
to Agusta-Westland and Eurocopter in 2002;

(cid:1) whether a research and planning contract has therefore already been signed with Agusta and
Eurocopter, although one of these companies is already carrying out a similar project with the
American company Bell-Textron?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(16 March 2004)

The European rotorcraft industry had already submitted a proposal for a large project on tilt-rotors in the
Fifth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (RTD) (FP5). It was submitted
twice without success. In the meantime, a number of critical technology projects were selected in FP5 that
address basic R & D topics on tilt rotor technology. Depending on the results and potential arising from
ongoing research, there is a possibility that the topic of tilt rotor technology may be included in the work
programme for the third call for proposals, foreseen to be published in May 2005, under the Sixth EU
Framework Programme for RTD (FP6, 2002-2006). If this possibility is confirmed, an estimated overall
budget envelope in the range of EUR 90 to EUR 100 million could be available for this research, up to
50 % coming from the FP6 budget. The European industry is known to be preparing itself in view of this
possibility. No specific reference is made to a tilt rotor development in the current version of the FP6
aeronautics work programme.

There is no contract signed in 2002 between the Commission and Agusta and/or Eurocopter. Furthermore,
the Commission funds projects dealing with research, technology development and concept validation.
Industrial project development is not included among the activities covered by the Framework Programme
of the Commission.

As a point of clarification, it is to be noted that ERICA is an industrial feasibility study (not a European
project as such) carried out jointly by Agusta-Westland and Eurocopter that investigates a different
technological concept from the one BA609 is based upon.

(2004/C 84 E/0458)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0432/04

by Helle Thorning-Schmidt (PSE) to the Commission

(17 February 2004)

Subject: Passive smoking

The Commission has repeatedly stated that passive smoking is a health problem. Much research into the
matter has shown that people who are exposed to passive smoking, particularly at work, can suffer serious
health problems.

Does the Commission agree that passive smoking is not only a health problem but also a problem
associated with the working environment? Will the Commission submit proposals for legislation to protect
workers against the health risks caused by smoking in the work-place? If so, how will the Commission
proceed and what is the timetable for any such measures?

C 84 E/396

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

Answer given by Mr Dimas on behalf of the Commission

(31 March 2004)

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member that environmental tobacco smoke is not only a
health problem but also an occupational risk. Studies have shown that regular exposure to tobacco smoke
can lead to a 25 % increased risk of smoking related diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Several health and safety at work directives have already established restrictions on smoking at work.
This is the case of Council Directive 89/654/EEC (1) that mentions that measures must be introduced for
the protection of non-smokers against discomfort caused by tobacco smoke, in rest areas and rest rooms.
In addition, Council Directive 90/394/EEC (2) provides for the use of ‘non-smoking’ signs in areas where
workers are exposed or likely to be exposed to carcinogens. Moreover, Council Directive 92/85/EEC (3) lists
carbon monoxide as one of the chemical agents for which the employer should assess the nature, degree
and duration of exposure of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are
breastfeeding. This shall be followed by further action by the employer to ensure that the exposure of
these workers to such risk is avoided. Last but not least, Council Directive 89/391/EEC (4) establishes, as an
obligation on the employer, possession of an assessment of the risks to safety and health at work,
including those facing groups of workers exposed to particular risks.

Therefore, passive smoking has already to be considered in risk assessment and appropriate preventive
measures implemented. These measures of varying technical and/or organisational nature will depend on
the characteristics of the workplace and not necessarily lead to a total ban.

Any Community legislation for further protection of workers against the health risks arising from exposure
to tobacco smoke would be based on Article 137 of the EC Treaty.

The choice of the policy instrument for further protection of workers against the health risks arising from
exposure to tobacco smoke needs to be considered carefully. Tobacco smoke is considered not only
carcinogenic and reprotoxic but also responsible for other respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Therefore,
the ‘Carcinogens
Directive’, the ‘Chemical Directive’ and the other Directives mentioned above do not already provide
enough protection to workers’ health, before any decision on the future course of action is taken.

the Framework Directive 89/391/EEC,

it would need to be assessed if

The European social partners would need to be consulted, under Article 138 of the EC Treaty, before any
detailed proposal is put forward by the Commission. They may decide to negotiate an agreement under
Article 139. At a later stage, the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work would need to be
consulted as well.

In the meantime, the Commission continues to encourage the development of measures at Member State
and regional level. At this level, there has been considerable activity recently with Ireland on the verge of
becoming the first Member State to introduce smoking bans in bars and restaurants at the end of March
2004. The Swedish Parliament has just announced its intention to pass workplace bans in 2005.
Elsewhere, the Spanish Government is looking into the feasibility of a total workplace ban, particularly in
bars and restaurants and the United Kingdom Government is consulting on the possibility of moving this
decision making to city councils.

(1) Council Directive 89/654/EEC of 30 November 1989 concerning the minimum safety and health requirements for
the workplace (first individual directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC), OJ L 393,
30.12.1989.

(2) Council Directive 90/394/EEC of 28 June 1990 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to
carcinogens at work (Sixth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC),
OJ L 196, 26.7.1990.

(3) Council Directive 92/85/EEC of 19 October 1992 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in
the safety and health at work of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding
(tenth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC), OJ L 348, 28.11.1992.
(4) Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the

safety and health of workers at work, OJ L 183, 29.6.1989.