EU health ministers have approved a recommendation to extend smoking and vaping bans to key outdoor areas across the bloc. Adopted on December 3, 2024, the proposal aims to curb second-hand exposure to tobacco smoke and chemical aerosols, particularly to protect children and young people.
Under the updated guidelines, member states are urged to establish smoke-free zones in semi-outdoor and outdoor spaces. These include restaurant patios, cafe terraces, rooftop bars, and public transport hubs like bus stops. Recreational areas where children gather, such as playgrounds, swimming pools, amusement parks, and zoos, are also targeted.
The recommendation explicitly includes emerging products like heated tobacco devices and electronic cigarettes, regardless of whether they contain nicotine. The European Commission justified the inclusion by pointing to World Health Organization (WHO) data showing that second-hand aerosols expose bystanders to toxicants and particulate matter.
“Today’s agreement is a crucial step towards our goal of a tobacco-free generation in Europe, and is critical in protecting our children and young people from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke,” said Oliver Varhelyi, the EU’s health commissioner. The initiative aligns with the EU’s Beating Cancer Plan, which aims to reduce the bloc’s smoking population from 25% to under 5% by 2040.
Because health policy remains the competence of individual member states, the recommendation is not legally binding. This division of power was reflected in the voting. Germany and Greece abstained from the vote. Germany cited regional competence issues, while Greece expressed skepticism regarding the data on e-cigarettes.
Italy and Romania supported the text but issued a joint declaration stating that banning outdoor vaping lacks a scientific basis. Meanwhile, the European Parliament rejected a similar resolution after right-wing lawmakers amended it to differentiate between vapes and traditional cigarettes. “We see the outdoor smoking ban as a violation of individual freedom,” stated Pietro Fiocchi, a member of the European Parliament.
| Country / Institution | Vote / Position | Primary Reason or Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Most EU Member States | Approved | Protecting public health and youth from second-hand emissions. |
| Germany | Abstained | Regional jurisdiction issues and opposition to terrace bans. |
| Greece | Abstained | Demanded more scientific data on the effects of e-cigarettes. |
| Italy & Romania | Approved (with reservations) | Argued that outdoor vaping bans lack scientific justification. |
| European Parliament | Rejected (similar text) | Opposed treating electronic cigarettes the same as traditional tobacco. |
While the guidelines serve as a blueprint for future national laws, the political divisions in Brussels highlight the ongoing debate over how to regulate reduced-risk alternatives compared to combustible tobacco.
