Philip Morris International Inc.'s (PMI) PM Vice
President, Communications, Julie Soderlund, issued the following statement
today commenting on the European Commission's proposal for the revision of the
Tobacco Products Directive:
“PMI is pleased that the Commission has finally issued its proposed Tobacco
Products Directive so that it now may be reviewed and debated in an open,
transparent, objective and constructive manner by all concerned in the coming
months.
“An initial reading of the proposal suggests that many of the recommended
measures will not achieve the Commission's public health goals and will result
in numerous unintended adverse consequences which appear to have been
disregarded by its authors.
“The proposed Directive explicitly prohibits products that account for
approximately 10 percent of the European Union cigarette market, and in some
member states more than 30 percent of the market, despite the fact that there
is no credible scientific evidence that these products are more harmful than
others or that taking them off the market will reduce smoking rates. At a time
when Europe can least afford it, the Commission's proposal ignores the massive
black market for tobacco products which already costs member states 10 billion
euros annually, but advocates measures that will undoubtedly fuel its further
growth.
“In addition, the proposal would significantly limit consumer access to, and
information about, products that have the very real potential to reduce the
harm caused by conventional tobacco products. In doing this the Commission has
chosen not only to stifle innovation but also to ignore the potential these
products have to improve public health.
“We trust that the hostility of some towards our industry will not blind them
to the important economic, legal and societal issues that this proposed
Directive raises. We believe that its numerous flaws need to be addressed to
ensure that the EU implements a regulatory framework for tobacco products in
Europe that is fair, science-based and effective in reducing the harm caused
by smoking without imposing unnecessary burden on the economy. Europe deserves
nothing less.”
To read more about PMI's views on tobacco regulation as well as our 2010
submission to the European Commission's public consultation on this Directive
visit www.pmi.com.
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