21-06-2013
Council agrees on revision of tobacco rules
The Council has reached political agreement on a revised draft EU tobacco directive.
Under the new rules, combined picture
and text health warnings would have
to cover 65 % of tobacco packs
© dvarg, Fotolia.com
The aim of the directive is to make tobacco products less attractive by strengthening the rules on how such products can be manufactured, presented and sold.
"Each year, 700 000 people across the EU die from tobacco-related illnesses. So many thousands more suffer with chronic illnesses brought on by tobacco consumption. Smoking is one of the greatest preventable, avoidable threats to people's health," said Ireland’s Minister for Health, Dr. James Reilly TD.
The agreement - a so-called general approach - will serve as the basis for negotiations with the European Parliament.
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