Germany Gets EU Slap on the Wrist over Tobacco Laws

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Germany Gets EU Slap on the Wrist over Tobacco Laws

Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Teenage smoking has gone down in Germany, but the EU wants more action from Berlin

The European Commission has warned Germany and Luxembourg that they need to toughen up its anti-tobacco laws in according with EU guidelines, or face legal action in the European Court of Justice.

Brussels has told governments in both Berlin and Luxembourg that it is speeding up its legal action against countries which have not made EU guidelines on banning tobacco advertising in newspapers, radio and the Internet a part of national law.

"The commission must ensure that EU law is upheld," said EU consumer affairs chief Markos Kyprianou. "I am sure that all governments realize that glamorizing smoking through fancy advertising can have devastating effects."

The EU directive, introduced in 2003, also prohibits tobacco sponsorship of cross-border events or activities.

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Smoking is getting harder to do in Europe

A first warning had been sent to the countries in October, after both missed a July deadline to introduce new anti-tobacco legislation. Germany and Luxembourg have two months to complay, according to the Commission, or risk legal action in the EU's highest court.

Resistance

But Berlin has resisted following other European countries with strict anti-tobacco and anti-smoking rules, and according to the dpa press agency, has no plans to ban smoking from public buildings or restaurants.

"The problem is not going to be solved by a ban," the government's drug commissioner, Sabine Bätzing, told dpa, adding that current anti-smoking regulations have been effective, since the number of smokers, particularly among teenagers, has been going down.

Detlef Parr of the free-market liberal FDP party warned against a "witch hunt" against smokers.

"Drink and tobacco have always been a part of our society and their use lies in the responsibility of the individual," he said.
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http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,1889847,00.html
 
Banning Smoke at Work in Europe

Banning Smoke at Work in Europe

The European Commission's "Week Against Cancer" begins Monday, the motto is "finally a smoke-free workplace." While the latter is already a reality in some EU countries, many Europeans still work in smoky environs.

In Italy, a smoking ban has been in place since the beginning of the year, but not everyone's pleased about it.

"It's unfair," one Italian woman told Deutsche Welle. "People constantly talk about protecting non-smokers, but what about the smokers? Who sells the cigarettes to us? First the state let's us get addicted and then it takes our habit away from us."

But a majority of Italians is actually more supportive of the law.


Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Italians have taken to smoking outside."I defend non-smokers," said one man. "Passive smoking harms them and they are forced to deal with it."

Health experts naturally back such views as they say that passive smoke, such as the one produced by a work colleague in the same room, is harmful.

"Smokers breathe in about a quarter of a cigarette's smoke themselves while three quarters go to waste," said Volker Beck of Germany's Cancer Society, adding that the smoke lingers in rooms for hours afterwards. "You can't get rid of this highly toxic smoke. The consequences are cancers, cardio-vascular diseases and respiratory diseases."

Ways for protection

Since ventilation systems cannot completely filter out smoke, other solutions have to be found to protect non-smokers. But EU countries have not agreed on a common way to do this so far.

"You have to distinguish between protecting non-smokers and outright smoking bans," said Michael Forrest of the European Network for Tobacco Prevention, a non-governmental organization that has compared national regulations.


Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Smoking in Irish pubs is history.He added that only four EU countries -- Ireland, Italy, Malta and Sweden -- as well as European Free Trade Association member Norway have implemented smoking bans in the workplace.

The ban is more or less enforced in these countries -- partly because of high penalties of up to 275 euros ($333) per violation, Forrest said.

Other countries are now also considering bans: Starting in 2006, Belgians and Spaniards will have to restrict their smoking in public and Britain seems also set to follow suit.

Germany still lax

In Germany, smoking bans do not yet exist in the work place.

"A 2002 regulation requires employers to take necessary steps to protect non-smoking employees at their work-place," said Peter Niepalla, Deutsche Welle's legal counsel.

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Smoking in German train stations has been restricted.He added that setting up smokers' bureaus, central smokers' "islands" or more breaks for smokers are some of the possibilities. While employers still have more lee-way than in Ireland or Italy, the air is getting thin for German smokers as well.

EU Public Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou would like to see all EU states follow the lead of those that have already banned smoking, but he's got little power to do something about it as national government can still largely decide on their own.

And the Italian government doesn't seem to be interested in adhering to its own laws: While citizens obey the ban, clouds of smoke can be found in one public building, according to Italian newspaper La Republicca: The Palazzo Chigi, Italy's seat of government.
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http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,1736193,00.html
 
Yes, it's true that there're no smoking bans law at work place or any resturant in Germany but it's up to employer's and owner's decision either they want to have smoking in their work place, restaurant or whatever.

I would say almost all smoking is not acceptance in the work place including my and my hubby's work place.

It's up to us (non-smokers) either we want go in smoking resturant or not... If we want to go resturant then ask the waiter to seat us at non-smoke area. I remember we went to resturant to ask for non-smoke area but the waiter said that there're no non-smoking area for us... We thank him and leave then look for other resturant where therer'e non-smoking area then we can seat to have our meal.

A lot of Germans don't smoke in supermarkets, no matter either there're non-smoke label or not. It's same with house owners, too.

German public health department already warns us about smoking issues... it's up to us either we want to have smokers in our house, go in smoking area restuarant, etc... It's employer's and owner's decision.

Smoking in German train stations has been restricted as the same as work place, resturants, etc.
 
Thanks for posting this, Liebling.

Interesting. I think it ought be banned in workplaces, pubs and restaurants and public buildings everywhere.

Most Aussie workers have to smoke outside during their morning and lunch break. All restaurants are banned from letting people smoke indoor. The next step, which will happen, is to ban smoking in pubs and bars.

As for home, government wouldn't dare intrude our privacy and order us not to smoke in home. Up to individuals to do so or not.

Ahh, it's so nice to eat out without smoke getting in the way. :)
 
Thanks for share your opinion here, Miss-Delectable.

I'm non-smoker but I think it's not necassary to fix the law for smoking ban on publics because the smokers respect non-smokers since we have legislation (Litter Act.) here in Germany. Example, we have Public Health Department where they take care of health issue to being restricted on certain place including work place, foods, drink, video, DVD, etc. etc. etc. German smokers ask every companies they visit to for permission first before they start smoke or go outside or go smoking room.

Well there're alot of Germans smoke outdoor than indoor automaic. We have area for smoker and non-smoker in any resturants but most German smokers prefer to eat non-smoking area and smoke outside, that's why the government see no necassary to make a law for smoking ban. I have friends, even smokers don't smoke in their houses or cars but outside. Its about freedom and respect.

It's my decision if we want to stay at resturant where there're no smoking-free area but we choose to leave to look for other resturants because we know there're plenty of public restaurants with smoking-free area if the waiter can't seat us on smoking-free area.

Germany to toughen workplace smoking rules

Germany's Federal Cabinet has approved new regulations to limit smoking in workplaces that will "significantly improve" the rights of non-smokers, according to the Federal Health Ministry.
When the new regulation takes effect in about two weeks, after being officially published, employers will be "required to take necessary measures to ensure that non-smoking employees are not exposed to health damaging tobacco smoke."
The regulation will not cover restaurants, bars and some other business that are open to the public.
Until the latter half of the 1990s, Germany had no regulations against smoking in the workplace. A regulation approved then was loosely worded and not easily enforced.
As a result, smoking remains common in many offices, something that seems likely to change with the new rules.
Source: Reuters, July 2002

http://www.smokeatwork.org/summary_index.htm
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It's up to Employer's and Public Owner's where they can fix the room for smoking or stay outside... At my work place, they are obligate to smoke outside or smoking room.
 
wow.. impressive hearing about Germany's law.. quite little bit bend change policy laws..

In Ontairo,Canada has been huge changed non smoking all resturants and stores any where includes trains too..
I've seen Rare, some of fewest resturant prefer stay old fashioned and allow non smoking section and smoking.. wherebouts in other town to town and city to city location.

Espically Germany's law condiser help to people and wants healthier store and resturant any places will better improve their enivorment.. Just in my thoughts ?
 
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