The Fianna Fail MEP, Mr Mark Killilea, has defended the way he voted in the recent EU tobacco advertising and sponsorship votes in the European Parliament. ASH Ireland, the anti-smoking lobby, criticised the Connacht MEP, saying it was surprised he appeared not to have supported the Minister for Health and his party colleagues "on this most important change".
Mr Killilea told The Irish Times yesterday he had voted in favour of the ban, but on other amendments "some items I voted for, some items I voted against". He said that because the vote had taken place a number of weeks ago he could not remember specifically which amendments he had supported.
In a statement ASH said it had lobbied the Minister for Health, Mr Cowen, and all Irish MEPs in support of the recently adopted ban on tobacco advertising and sponsorship in Europe. "Members of the European Parliament were specifically requested to support the implementation of this legislation and not support any amendment which could reduce the impact of the proposal."
On May 13th MEPs voted in favour of a directive banning tobacco advertising and sponsorship. The ban and penalties will be phased in from 2001.
The European Parliament's decision coincided with confirmation of legal challenges by European tobacco and publishing interests. They lobbied extensively against it, with most pressure exerted on German and Spanish MEPs. Their hopes were focused on getting just a single amendment through, which would have stalled its introduction by forcing the draft directive into a lengthy conciliation process with the Council of Ministers.
An amendment deeming the directive invalid, on the basis that it came under an article relating to free movement rather than public health, was considered the best possibility. This was defeated 314 to 211.
Mr Killilea said certain amendments were proposed "where what they really wanted was to take away the liberty of people who smoke".