EU 'is considering banning filter cigarettes and e-cigarettes'
The EU is considering banning filter cigarettes and e-cigarettes in a push to reduce tobacco use.
A ban on the sale of cigarettes in shops, petrol stations and kiosks is also being weighed up.
A bill, drafted by the Council of the European Union, will be discussed at a World Health Organisation (WHO) meeting in November.
The draft resolution cites a report by a WHO study group 'on the regulation of tobacco products' which 'explicitly recommends banning filters to reduce the palatability and attractiveness of cigarettes,' Bild reports.
'A ban on the manufacture, import, distribution, and sale of filter cigarettes would make an important contribution to reducing tobacco consumption,' the bill adds.
A ban on e-cigarettes is also an 'additional regulatory option' as the EU looks to protect the environment and human health.
The proposal was first discussed at the EU Council Working Group on Public Health on October 9 and will be considered at the WHO conference in Geneva next month.
The EU Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, also reportedly supports restrictions, with a 'generation-based' ban, which would prohibit the sale of tobacco products to anyone born after a certain year, under review.
The EU is considering banning filter cigarettes and e-cigarettes in a push to reduce tobacco use
The bill is unlikley to gain support in Italy, with prime minister Giorgia Meloni claiming she would probably kill someone if she had to give up cigarettes
Such a policy was introduced in New Zealand by a previous government and restrictred anyone born after January 2009 from ever buying cigarettes legally. It was later overturned.
The bill is unlikley to gain support in Italy, with prime minister Giorgia Meloni claiming she would probably kill someone if she had to give up cigarettes.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Turkish president, who has vowed to make Turkey smoke-free, challenged her over her habit at the Gaza peace summit in Egypt on Monday.
'You look great. But I have to make you stop smoking,' he told Ms Meloni.
'I know, I know,' Ms Meloni said. 'I don't want to kill somebody.'
'It's impossible,' Emmanuel Macron added during the meeting on the sidelines of the summit.
EU countries currently have differing rules on smoking restrictions, with Denmark, Finland, Italy and Sweden described as having 'very good' compliance with anti-smoking laws by the Smoke Free Partnership, a group of European organisations.
While Bulgaria and Greece have a 'weak' compliance with smoking laws.
