Tobacco is
the single largest cause of
avoidable death in the
European Union accounting for
over half a million deaths
each year and over a million
deaths in Europe as a whole.
It is estimated that 25% of
all cancer deaths and 15% of
all deaths in the Union could
be attributed to smoking. In
order to curb this epidemic,
the European Community is
actively developing a
comprehensive tobacco control
policy, which is
characterised by a four-stage
approach:
legislative
measures are the backbone
of the Community's present
and future tobacco control
activities
support for
Europe-wide smoking
prevention and cessation
activities is another
important element in the
tobacco control strategy
mainstreaming
tobacco control into a range
of other Community policies
(e. g. agricultural policy,
taxation policy, development
policy) is essential in order
to make sure that tobacco
control principles are part
of all relevant policies
make sure that the
pioneering role of the
European Community in many
tobacco control areas
produces an impact beyond the
frontiers of the European
Union, and establish the
Community as a major player
in tobacco control at a
global level.
Tobacco control
More than half a million people die every year in the European Union as a direct or indirect consequence of smoking. This makes nicotine addiction the most important avoidable cause of disease and premature death.
Tobacco fund
The Community Tobacco Fund grants financial support to projects improving public awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco consumption in any form, in particular by means of information and education
Networks
Networks financed by the Commission in 2002 under the Cancer programme
EU anti smoking campaign
