The European Commission is considering banning smoking in outdoor areas such as café terraces, bus stops, and zoos. This potential move aims to further restrict smoking in Europe, following the example of countries that have already implemented strict measures. Experts say this is part of a broader effort to protect public health.

Some European countries have already banned smoking near schools, outside workplaces, and in sports stadiums. Sweden, for instance, has completely prohibited smoking in outdoor restaurant and bar terraces. Sweden also boasts the lowest smoking rate in Europe, with smoking having decreased since the 1980s.

Nearly a Quarter of Europeans Smoke

According to a 2022 Eurobarometer survey, around 25% of Europeans still smoke, with rates ranging from 8% in Sweden to 37% in Bulgaria. Smoking is one of the leading preventable health risks in the EU, causing around 700,000 deaths annually. Despite efforts to curb smoking, countries across Europe have varying laws and policies, making it difficult to enforce uniform restrictions.

Protecting the Public from Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand smoke is known to cause lung cancer and heart disease in non-smokers. The European Commission’s goal is to reduce smoking rates to less than 5% of the EU population by 2040, as part of its cancer prevention strategy.

Current EU-wide regulations already mandate tobacco tax rates, ban flavored products, and enforce standardized packaging. However, individual EU countries are responsible for adopting more specific smoke-free policies. Lilia Olefir, director of the Smoke-Free Partnership, suggests that the new EU recommendations could cover emerging tobacco products and introduce more restrictions on outdoor smoking areas.

“It’s only a matter of time before more European countries move to ban smoking in terraces, parks, and beaches,” Olefir stated, predicting such changes within the next five years.

Success Stories and Ongoing Challenges

In Sweden, the ban on smoking in outdoor terraces, introduced in 2018, has been largely successful among adults. However, challenges remain, particularly among less-educated adults who continue to smoke at higher rates. Concerns are also rising over new nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes, which may encourage young people to pick up the habit.

Other countries like Lithuania have introduced partial bans, designating specific smoking areas in parks and public spaces, while municipalities can enforce stricter regulations in places like beaches or town squares.

More European Countries Could Follow

In France, which has some of the strictest anti-smoking laws in Europe, there is growing support for extending outdoor smoking bans. French legislation dating back to 1976 started with restrictions on cigarette advertising, and more recent measures include bans on indoor smoking and standardized packaging. Plans to ban smoking on beaches, parks, and outside schools are expected to be in place by 2025.

The Netherlands has also made significant strides, banning smoking in schools and indoor spaces, while increasing cigarette prices to over €11 per pack. Similarly, Ireland and the UK have implemented some of the toughest anti-smoking laws, with Ireland having the highest cigarette prices in Europe at €16.75 per pack.

Mixed Reactions from Businesses

However, the hospitality industry has expressed concerns that outdoor smoking bans could hurt business, particularly in the UK. Kate Nicholls, CEO of UK Hospitality, warned that a smoking ban could severely impact pubs, referencing the economic downturn after indoor smoking was banned.

Czech Republic Lags Behind

Meanwhile, in the Czech Republic, smoking remains prevalent, with about a quarter of the population still smoking. Eva Kralikova, a professor at Charles University, criticized the lack of basic tobacco control policies in her country. She called for the introduction of standardized packaging and licensed tobacco shops to curb smoking rates.

The debate continues as more European countries weigh the potential benefits of stricter smoking bans against the possible economic impacts on businesses.