“An attack from the EU”: – Parties reject the expansion of smoke-free zones

A recommendation from the European Commission to EU member states to expand smoke-free zones is met with political rejection across the board in Austria.

The European Commission recommends a smoking ban in various outdoor areas
As the Brussels authorities announced in mid-September, smoking should be banned in particular in places where children are present – including playgrounds, swimming pools, schools, but also, for example, the outdoor areas of restaurants.

Tenor: A reduction in the number of smokers is desirable, but not through a ban
Austrian MEPs from all parties spoke out against further bans. Petra Steger (FPÖ) and Lukas Mandl (ÖVP) have clearly rejected such a step and see no role for the European Commission in this area. Andreas Schieder (SPÖ), Thomas Waitz (Greens) and Helmut Brandstätter (NEOS) all emphasized that a decrease in the number of smokers is desirable. But this must be done through education and awareness work and not through bans.

Minister Rauch: Most of it has already been implemented
There were also comments from domestic politics. In Austria, the majority of the draft’s recommendations have already been implemented, according to Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens). Since 2018, there has been a strict smoking ban in open areas of schools and childcare facilities. Since 2019, smoking in indoor gardens is only permitted if at least 50 percent of the side areas are completely open to ensure sufficient air exchange.

Smoking is also strictly prohibited in commercial passenger transport such as taxis and coaches. Smoking in private vehicles is only permitted if no minors are present. Advertising and sponsorship of tobacco and related products are also completely prohibited.

Austria is not in favor of a general smoking ban outdoors. From the Ministry of Health’s perspective, the next important step is to regulate nicotine pouches and similar new tobacco and nicotine products. They are especially widespread among young people and should be subject to the same rules as cigarettes. The Ministry of Health’s draft for an amendment to the Smoking Protection Act has been available for more than two years.

FPÖ: “Attack on the EU bureaucracy”
The spokesman for the FPÖ consumer protection in the National Council, Peter Wurm, spoke of an “attack by the EU bureaucracy, which now also wants to ban smoking in café gardens, as if it were the death of restaurants based on EU regulations” . “There will be no ban on smoking outside at the ÖVP,” says ÖVP club chairman August Wöginger.

The protection group is also calling for a smoking ban at bus stops
Robert Rockenbauer of the Protection Association for Non-Smokers agreed that the EU’s recommendations would be “fully in line with the protection association’s long-standing demands.” A smoking ban in swimming pools, lawns, parks, etc. is also long overdue.

According to Rockenbauer, smoking at stops is particularly objectionable, “because often only the last puff of the lungs is exhaled here on the bus or train, much to the annoyance of those who have chosen a smoke-free means of transport.” The conservation community calls for a smoking ban “where several people gather”.