Report on the implementation of the EU Tobacco Advertising Directive

This Commission report on the implementation of the Tobacco Advertising Directive concludes that the laws to transpose the Directive are in place and are well implemented. Member States have in general wider advertising and sponsorships bans than those required by the Directive. However, there are indications that tobacco promotion has intensified in local merchandising and at points of sales, especially in Member States that either allow it or do not effectively control it. The internet and the virtual environment in general, is a new challenge. It is difficult to control due to the covert nature of advertising and the fact that the wrongdoers can easily relocate themselves. Tobacco remains the largest single cause of premature death and disease in the European Union. It causes 650.000 premature deaths within the EU each year. To curb this epidemic the EU has pursued, over the last 20 years, a comprehensive tobacco control policy that aims at fighting tobacco consumption and reducing the number of smokers. The tobacco advertising ban is a key mechanism in this policy. The information in this report is provided by the Competent Authorities in Member States, citizens, non-governmental organisations and through observations from Commission services.