New laws obliging EU governments to clean up air pollution from traffic fumes and solvents within 10 years were approved by the European Parliament today.
MEPs toughened up European Commission recommendations into binding rules which must be incorporated in national legislation within eighteen months.
The vote is the culmination of a two-year campaign by British Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies who said tonight: "We've turned a wish list into a programme of action which will improve air quality across Europe.
"The European Parliament has strong powers over environmental issues and we have put some real teeth into what started out as a rather weak proposal". Ozone pollution causes 12,000 deaths in Britain alone every year, said Mr Davies.
Ozone is less of a problem in northern EU countries, said Mr Davies: "We generate the pollutants but we don't have the sunshine to turn them into ozone. It's one of the few advantages of living in a region known more for its cloud than its sun."
The Commission called for action when the World Health Organisation revealed that maximum ozone levels were being breached across Europe, with Italy, France and Spain worst hit.
Although peak levels have fallen in recent years, the overall level of pollution has continued to rise, with the gas able to travel thousands of miles.
But the Commission's plans for non-binding EU targets was not enough for many MEPs, with Mr Davies leading negotiations towards a deal requiring governments to take the action necessary or face legal measures.
The EU Directive on Ozone in Ambient Air must now be incorporated into national legislation within 18 months.
PA