European Countries and the EU

Abstract

This chapter outlines the main policy developments within the European Union (EU), individual member states, and other European countries. In the past half century both the EU and several member states (and their substate governments) have taken action on tobacco policy. The EU has had a formal role in tobacco control since 1987 when it assumed shared responsibility for public health policy with its member countries. The EU’s public health authority has expanded since then to cover most of Europe as it has grown from 12 member states in 1987 to 27 in 2011. More generally, European tobacco policy has changed markedly in the post-war era. We identify a broad trend towards more restrictive tobacco control, with the number, range, and strength of tobacco policy instruments increasing markedly in the last 25 years. However, the effect is by no means uniform. There is considerable variation in the timing and substance of tobacco control within the EU and, in some cases, within member states. In particular, until recently, tobacco control has been generally less well developed in the 12 recent ‘accession’ states (mostly from Central and Eastern Europe). As a result, the effect of the EU as a source of policy diffusion has varied. Its role is relatively limited with ‘leader’ states that have demonstrated a willingness to go beyond the EU agenda. In contrast, its role is significant for ‘laggard’ states that are obliged to implement EU regulations beyond their current requirements, as well as accession states mandated to engage in tobacco control as a condition of EU membership.