Governments and health authorities must fight to prevent tobacco companies creating "a new empire of addiction" in the developed world, the EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, Mr David Byrne, has warned.
Speaking at a press conference at the World Congress of Tobacco or Health in Helsinki yesterday, Mr Byrne said passive smoking was a major issue that needed particular attention from EU member-states.
He described efforts to counter the growth of the tobacco industry as a global battle and a battle for the future of the developing world.
"At stake is nothing less than basic freedom. The freedom to make choices, free from the thrall of addiction. The freedom to fulfil one's potential, without paying a heavy price for an addiction cultivated in the innocence of youth.
"In the face of this global pandemic we need to build strong global partnerships, capable of mobilising local change and capable of resisting industry's efforts to create a new empire of addiction."
Asked about the Government's plans to introduce a complete workplace smoking ban next January 1st, Mr Byrne said: "The Minister for Health, Mr Martin, has shown great leadership on this issue, and I fully agree with the initiative.
"To suggest that it will result in reduced employment and reduced profits [in the hospitality industry] is wrong. There is clear evidence that this is not the case. In any event I would not like to see people's health put against these parameters".
Earlier the Commissioner had told the conference that passive smoking could account for betwen 30,000 and 50,000 deaths every year in the European Union. Pointing out that the treaty establishing the community does not give him a mandate for binding legislation in the broad field of passive smoking he said a new Council recommendation on the prevention of smoking would help.
"However, as regards health protection in the workplace, I am determined to exploit all the possibilities that the treaty offers. I am pleased to announce that together with my colleague responsible for Employment and Social Affairs we are about to conceive a major initiative aimed at banning smoking in workplaces."
"For those of us charged with putting our citizens' well-being first, we know that victory is in sight. And as a political and personal priority I can assure you that in the challenges ahead you have the full weight of the European Union at your side."
Mr Byrne was scathing about the tobacco industry. "I don't meet the industry any more. I have given up on that. It is a fruitless exercise. I want to close them down and they want to make profits," he said.
Dr Lee Jong-wook, the new director-general of the World Health Organisation, reaffirmed the UN organisation's commitment to tobacco control under his leadership. He confirmed that 46 countries had already signed the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Dr Pekka Puska, Director of Communicable Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at WHO, said the conference was a chance to transfer principles into effective action.
"We have always known that is our task. Global action for a tobacco-free future is not easy. But the truth and hard facts are on our side" he said.