Smoking ban on terraces: what about vaping?

Find our breakdown of the latest European Commission recommendations on the smoking ban on terraces and vaping.

Gaelle

Published : 2024-09-26

Annexe

On Tuesday 17 September 2024, the European Commission presented its new recommendations to combat smoking and nicotine dependence. The update to its 2009 measures invites European Union countries to extend their anti-tobacco policy to certain outdoor public areas, including restaurant and café terraces. E-cigarettes and other derivatives could also be affected by this smoking ban on terraces by the end of 2025.

Target: a "tobacco-free generation" by 2040

Every year, more than 700,000 deaths are attributable to tobacco consumption and passive smoking in the European Union. Faced with this reality, the European Commission encourages member states to guarantee smoke-free environments. The aim is to combat the leading risk factor for cancer and reduce the smoking rate by 30% by the end of 2025. Following the first measures adopted in 2009, the European Commission is proposing stricter regulations focused on the smoking ban on terraces at cafés and restaurants. Added to the list of public anti-tobacco zones are playgrounds, amusement parks, outdoor swimming pools, bus stops and the surroundings of public and healthcare establishments. The European Commission's recommendations also suggest banning heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes, which are widely popular among young users.

Smoking ban on terraces: the e-cigarette in the firing line

The announcement of the possible smoking ban on terraces and vaping in public spaces responds to the concerns of the World Health Organization (WHO). A press release published in January 2024 outlined the organization's fears about the normalization of smoking among young people. It notably denounced the absence of a minimum age requirement for the purchase of cigarettes and "aggressive" marketing on social media. Reactions to the European Commission's announcements welcomed this commitment to protecting against passive smoking, but were more nuanced regarding the inclusion of vaping. While the harmful effects of passive smoking are proven (risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and cancers), no scientific study has demonstrated the dangerous nature of non-smokers' exposure to e-cigarette vapour. An American study from July 2024 furthermore demonstrated the difference in terms of nicotine exposure between e-cigarette vapour and cigarette smoke. In a panel of 1,777 children, individuals exposed to tobacco smoke showed nicotine levels up to 6 times higher than those exposed to e-cigarette vapour. Nicotine is admittedly responsible for dependence, but is not toxic unlike the tar or carbon monoxide found in traditional cigarettes.

A counterproductive measure?

Many tobacco specialists are questioning the relevance of extending consumption restrictions in public places to e-cigarettes. Today, the e-cigarette is the best tool for ceasing tobacco consumption and gradually reducing nicotine dependence. The impact of banning e-cigarettes in outdoor public spaces could hinder smokers in their transition. The risk of conveying the wrong message exists: discouraging smokers by suggesting that vaping is as dangerous as smoking could steer them away from this far less harmful alternative to tobacco. Beyond health experts, restaurateurs questioned about this announcement are divided and worried about potential repercussions on their business. Among customers, the smoking ban on terraces is also generating mixed reactions.

Recommendations under consideration

To date, the positions defended by the European Commission carry only the weight of a recommendation. Member states are entirely free to define their own health policy and introduce restrictions. In the event that the smoking ban on terraces is adopted in France, the recommendations will only be applied once enshrined in law. For the time being, smoking and vaping on terraces as well as in public spaces not covered by the Evin Law or tobacco law relating to the fight against smoking remains permitted.

Restrictions aimed at banning smoking in public spaces are gaining ground in numerous countries across Europe and the world. In Spain or Mexico for example, smoking on terraces is already banned. Sweden has gone further, banning traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes since the summer of 2019. While banning smoking in public spaces is a strong measure to combat smoking, banning the e-cigarette remains a matter of debate, as it helps people adopt a healthier lifestyle.

The smoking ban on terraces widely rejected by the European Parliament

Despite strong mobilisation from member states, the European Parliament rejected with 378 votes against 152 the proposal to extend the smoking and vaping ban to new outdoor spaces such as bars, cafés and restaurants in November 2024. In response, European health ministers met and adopted the measure. The proposal will therefore not be legally binding and will leave each European Union state free to apply it or not as they see fit.

Sources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38990571/

https://commission.europa.eu/news-and-media/news/commission-proposes-extend-coverage-smoke-free-environments-2024-09-17_en

https://www.who.int/fr/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/tobacco-e-cigarettes

Published : 2024-09-26

Gaelle 2024-09-26

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