Lifting the smokescreen: 10 reasons for a smoke free Europe

Brussels, March 21, 2006

More than 79,000 adults die each year as a result of passive smoking in the 25 countries of the European Union, according to statistics published today by the Smokefree Partnership.

The new figures are contained in a report entitled "Lifting the smokescreen: 10 reasons for a smoke free Europe". It will be officially launched in the European Parliament by MEPs Liz Lynne (UK, Liberal Democrat) and Adamos Adamou (Cyprus, European United Left-Nordic Green Left).

The report also provides the evidence that measures to prevent passive smoking are feasible and popular.

Access the report in several European languages below.

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"Lifting the smokescreen" project wins prestigious award

July 13, 2006

"Lifting the smokescreen" was presented with the Best Smokefree Research Policy Award 2006 at the Global Smokefree Partnership inaugural awards, during the 13th World Conference on Tobacco or Health. Richard Davidson of Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and Fiona Godfrey (EU Policy Advisor) representing the ERS accepted the award on behalf of the Partnership.

Other awards went to the English Coalition, who were honoured for the Best Smokefree Campaign, and US Surgeon General Richard Carmona presented an award to Jon Samet for his work as Editor in Chief of the recent Surgeon's General report on passive smoking. He also made a surprise award to Jon Samet of the Surgeon General's award for Public Health, the highest award in the US for services in the public health field. In addition, Irish Health Minister Sean Power presented an award to Uruguay for adopting smokefree legislation in that country in March this year. The award was accepted by the Uruguayan Health Minister on behalf of the President.

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Press Materials

• Full report: in English    in German    in Spanish
• Press release
  First-ever EU figures on passive smoking deaths provoke call for action.
• Background document
  The following pages contain a summary of the figures and arguments in each chapter.
• Secondhand smoke
  Fact Sheet No. 8, Action on Smoking and Health.

The report is published by the Smokefree Partnership, a new strategic, independent and flexible partnership between the European Respiratory Society, Cancer Research UK and the Institut National du Cancer, France. Support was also provided by the European Heart Network. The report aims to promote tobacco control advocacy and policy research at EU and national levels in collaboration with other EU health organisations and EU tobacco control networks.