It’s Parliament’s turn: smokers are again being targeted by the EU

The European Commission wants to make a recommendation to the member states about a controversial smoking ban in cafes. After the Ministers of Health, the EU Parliament is now also dealing with the issue; a resolution is currently being worked on.

European Parliament resolution
MPs will soon vote on it – the ‘Krone’ has the draft: Parliament should, among other things, call on states to ‘extend bans to outdoor areas such as restaurants, cafes and bars’ have no immediate binding effect. However, experience shows that many points are actually implemented a few years later. In addition to bar gardens, the advice also mentions outdoor areas of amusement parks or bus stations.

A controversial part of the resolution is also the handling of alternative products such as e-cigarettes and tobacco heaters. They would also be subject to a smoking ban in public places. The article talks about a “scientific evaluation of the health risks”.

FPÖ, ÖVP, SPÖ and Neos against ban
The “Krone” asked EU parliamentarians what they thought about a ban on outdoor dining areas: FPÖ, ÖVP, SPÖ and Neos are against such restrictions. Liberal MP Petra Steger said in a statement: “The EU’s push for a smoking ban, even outdoors, is typical of the EU’s paternalism and disability policies and must therefore be strictly rejected.” bringing a group of people into the private sphere is, at the very least, a consciously calculated side effect – censorship by unusual means.”

Black MP Lukas Mandl is also against a smoking ban in cafes. In the interview he says: “Smoking is harmful, but it is clearly the wrong way to restrict freedoms. The EU should certainly not recommend anything centrally to the states here.” Social Democratic representative Günther Sidl also believes that the plan would go too far: “A ban in the café gardens would miss the point. Even if it is only a recommendation and not a bill: it must be enough.” Helmut Brandstätter of Neos sees it the same way. His motto is ‘freedom and attention instead of overregulation’.

The Green Minister voted in favor of a recommendation
However, the Greens did not comment on the smoking ban in cafe gardens. Health Minister Johannes Rauch is positive about smoke-free pubs. This shows his voting behavior. In a so-called “silent procedure,” he quietly agreed to the commission’s draft recommendation, which includes a ban on smoking in outdoor dining areas. The final vote on this will follow, only then will the recommendation apply.

A ban on restaurateurs would be a severe blow. Smoking could shift to the sidewalks next to the guest gardens. Innkeeper spokesperson Mario Pulker warned in the Kroon about the life-threatening consequences for the catering industry.

Soon a smoking ban on slopes and ski lifts?
Every year the resort “tschick” causes dissatisfaction at the beginning of the ski season. According to the Nature Conservation Association, 4.5 million glowing stems end up in nature every year worldwide. The French ski resort of Les Gets alone found more than 3,000 butts during cleaning work in the spring – the first smoking ban on slopes and ski lifts came into effect.

It is unclear whether the local mountain railways can also achieve this. According to Markus Lindblad of Northerner, the focus is more on awareness, such as handing out pocket ashtrays. The fact is that the toxic ingredients in cigarettes have a negative effect on the environment and health.