Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-11-18-Speech-1-090"
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"en.20021118.5.1-090"2
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"Mr President , Mr Medina Ortega's report, although insufficient, does in fact review the decision to cancel the 1997 directive on tobacco, and we welcome this.
Tobacco, which kills hundreds of Europeans every day, is a scourge that we must combat in the name of protecting the health of our fellow citizens. We will not be satisfied with half measures. Either tobacco is a deadly poison and everything must be done to reduce its use, even eradicate it totally, or tobacco is – mistakenly – believed to be like any other ordinary consumer item and so, there are no grounds to legislate. In fact, because of the persistence of these opposing views, which Mr Maaten pointed out, people are now beginning to say that Parliament is supporting the growth of a product that it is repressing in other ways.
The text presented by Mr Medina Ortega is heading in the right direction, but the proposed amendments weaken it considerably and we reject them. It is heading in the right direction because it has been proven that the ban on advertising helped to cut smoking and that there is indeed a link between advertising and excessive consumption. Strangely enough, the amendments give cross-border problems more attention than is their due. Thus, some Members seem to think that the existence of borders can have positive economic effects, whereas in many cases, it is the same individuals who are recommending the same borders be broadly opened up, regardless of the consequences.
Today, given our extensive knowledge about the damaging effects of tobacco, it would be criminal to make no attempt to deter increasingly young consumers from becoming addicted to a product the advertisements for which boast of its benefits. Negligence, indifference and a lack of political courage in the area of public health sow the seeds of crimes against humanity. It is this irresponsibly lax approach that caused the contaminated blood scandal in France and the mad cow disease scandal in Great Britain. Today, no one can say that they are not aware and this means that everyone is to be held responsible. That is why we shall support Mr Medina Ortega’s report."@en1
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