RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Tobacco control policy: the European dimension
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 335
OP 342
DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.2-4-335
VO 2
IS 4
A1 Anna Gilmore
A1 Martin McKee
YR 2002
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/2/4/335.abstract
AB The Royal College of Physicians has long played an important role in the struggle against tobacco. As tobacco is a legally traded substance, its regulation increasingly takes place at a European level, where governments seek to balance concerns about public health and free trade. Consequently, it is essential that those seeking to reduce the toll of tobacco-related disease understand the nature of the debate at a European level, in particular the strategies being pursued by the tobacco industry to undermine efforts to promote public health. After describing the European legislative process, this paper explores the current European debates on advertising restrictions, warning labels and cigarette composition, bans on public smoking, taxation, alleged industry involvement in smuggling, and subsidies for tobacco producers. It concludes by examining areas where the College might take action.