EU Health Ministers Recommend Stricter Outdoor Smoking Bans

The non-binding proposal targets public areas like playgrounds and cafes, aiming to reduce secondhand smoke exposure and tobacco-related deaths.

A majority of EU health ministers supported a recommendation to ban smoking and vaping in outdoor public spaces, including playgrounds, beaches, and restaurant patios.
The recommendation, which is not legally binding, aims to protect non-smokers and children from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke and vapors.
Germany and Greece abstained from the vote, citing concerns over jurisdiction and the need for more nuanced approaches to outdoor smoking regulations.
The proposal aligns with the EU's broader goal to reduce tobacco use to less than 5% of the population by 2040 as part of its 'Beating Cancer Plan.'
Critics argue the recommendation oversteps the EU's authority, with some viewing it as an infringement on personal freedoms and lacking sufficient scientific backing for vaping restrictions.