No more smoking e-cigarettes on playgrounds and restaurant terraces

The European Union is taking steps to tighten restrictions on the use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products in public spaces, with new recommendations backed by Ireland and other member states. These recommendations extend existing smoke-free policies to include outdoor areas like playgrounds, amusement parks, and restaurant terraces. Here’s a summary of the key points:

What Are the Changes?

• Expanded Coverage: The recommendations include outdoor spaces frequented by children and vulnerable populations, such as playgrounds, swimming pools, beaches, and zoos.
• Restaurants and Bars: Outdoor and semi-outdoor areas associated with commercial establishments, such as terraces and balconies of restaurants, bars, and cafés, are also included.
• Emerging Products: The measures now apply not just to traditional tobacco but also to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

Why the Change?

• Protecting Public Health: The aim is to shield children and non-smokers from exposure to aerosols and discourage the use of emerging nicotine products.
• Adapting to Trends: The last major EU recommendations on smoking were in 2009, prior to the rise of e-cigarettes. The updates reflect the growing market for these products.
• Cancer Prevention: The recommendations align with Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, targeting a “tobacco-free generation” by 2040, with under 5% of the population using tobacco products.

Ireland's Stance

Ireland supported the recommendations and has already introduced similar measures domestically through amendments to the Tobacco Health Protection Act. This includes restrictions on where e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products can be used.

Are These Rules Binding?

The recommendations are not legally binding, leaving individual member states to decide their implementation. However, they serve as strong guidance for harmonizing tobacco and vaping regulations across the EU.

Next Steps

Health ministers have also agreed to review EU tobacco laws to ensure they remain effective in combating nicotine addiction and reducing tobacco use among young people.

These measures are part of a broader effort to curb the appeal and accessibility of tobacco and vaping products, particularly among younger generations.