tobacco

Health news

France to ban smoking in public places to protect children

Starting Sunday, smoking will be banned on beaches, in parks, and at bus shelters. The government’s decree extending the ban to certain outdoor public spaces was published in the Official Journal on Saturday. For now, no fines will be issued for violations.

28/06/2025

Health news

Smokers buying cigarettes abroad after the Netherlands raised taxes

The Dutch public health agency said policy changes are needed to prevent smokers from evading the country’s high tobacco taxes by buying these products abroad.

18/06/2025

Europe News

France to enact smoking ban in public spaces with children from 1 July

A breach of the ban — which is part of France's wider National Tobacco Control Programme, announced in November 2023 — could be punishable with a €135 fine.

30/05/2025

Health news

Spain plans to extend smoking ban to bar and restaurant terraces

The ban would not only apply to traditional tobacco in public spaces, but also to electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco devices.

29/05/2025

Europe News

Belgium bans display of tobacco products in shops

The new law is designed to curb impulse purchases of cigarettes and tobacco — and supermarkets are prohibited from selling them altogether.

01/04/2025

Europe News

Health ministers urge the Commission to boost anti-tobacco action

In a letter to Health Commissioner Oliver Várhelyi, health ministers from 12 countries urge the Commission to step up its fight against tobacco and novel nicotine products.

25/03/2025

wellbeing

France bans nicotine pouch sales. Where does the rest of Europe stand?

Several countries have taken steps to restrict nicotine pouches absent EU-wide regulation.

28/02/2025

Health news

EU can dodge millions of cancers by hitting tobacco, alcohol reduction

Reaching EU targets on the use of tobacco and alcohol, as well as addressing unhealthy diets and air pollution could help reduce almost four million cancer cases, according to a new study.

04/02/2025

Health news

Smoking one cigarette can reduce lifespan by 20 minutes, study finds

A single cigarette can shorten your lifespan and impact your health, new research shows.

08/01/2025

Europe News

Health ministers buck Parliament to green-light stronger tobacco bans

The EU Council has approved new recommendations on smoke- and aerosol-free environments across the bloc to strengthen protection against exposure to second-hand smoke and to "encourage current smokers to quit”, bucking Parliament's recent shelving of the proposal.

03/12/2024

Europe News

EU calls for tougher measures to achieve a ‘tobacco free generation’

The European Commission recommends that member states extend smoking bans to outdoor areas, including for electronic cigarettes and nicotine-free products.

17/09/2024

Health news

Exclusive: EU wants to ban smoking in outdoor areas, leaked draft says

The European Commission will recommend smoking bans in cafe terraces, bus stops, and zoos, and plans also cover nicotine-free products, according to a leaked document obtained by Euronews.

16/09/2024

Health news

Belgian health minister calls for more EU action against tobacco

The EU needs more initiatives to tackle tobacco use and to create a healthy environment focused on prevention, said Frank Vandenbroucke, health minister of Belgium.

27/03/2024

Business

Italian watchdog turns heat up on BAT and Amazon over tobacco ads

Italy's competition watchdog, AGCM, fines BAT and Amazon €7 million for deceptive advertising on heated tobacco products.

14/02/2024

Health news

Tobacco use declining globally, despite industry efforts, WHO says

While global consumption of tobacco is declining, trends indicate that the goal of a 30 per cent reduction will not be met by 2025 as initially planned.

17/01/2024

Healthcare

France unveils price hike and new restrictions to reduce smoking

France's health ministry unveiled a new plan on Tuesday to tackle cigarette smoking in the country, including bans on smoking in parks and on beaches.

29/11/2023

Travel News

Tourists in France could now face fines for smoking on the beach

The country has just introduced a ban on smoking in some public areas as part of a comprehensive anti-tobacco plan.

29/11/2023

Healthcare

Australia to ban imports of single-use disposable vapes from next year

Australia joins an increasing number of countries are trying to crack down on disposable e-cigarettes.

28/11/2023

Healthcare

New Zealand's new government plans to ditch radical smoking ban law

New Zealand's incoming government plans to repeal restrictions approved last year, an initiative that sought to stop the next generation smoking.

27/11/2023

Health news

France loses more money from tobacco and alcohol than it gains

A new report has found that the cost to public finances related to alcohol and tobacco use exceeds any money the state gains from taxes on those products.

02/08/2023