Press release – Strasbourg, 23 October 2012

Dalli resignation/EU tobacco legislation

Smoke must be lifted on circumstances of Dalli resignation and EU tobacco rules not further delayed

The Greens/EFA group today called on Commission president Barroso to provide transparency on the circumstances surrounding the resignation of health commissioner John Dalli and for a review of EU tobacco rules not to be further delayed. Commenting on situation, Greens/EFA co-president Dany Cohn-Bendit said:

"The circumstances surrounding the resignation of commissioner Dalli remain hazy, with resulting concerns being raised about undue influence. Commission president Barroso needs to lift the smoke and provide full transparency about the circumstances surrounding the resignation. This includes making the report by OLAF public, as it is clearly in the public interest."

Commenting in the context of today's debate with the Commission, Green public health spokesperson Michèle Rivasi (MEP France) added:

"The review of EU tobacco rules is long overdue and this latest delay reflects poorly on the Commission and its commitment to addressing this public health priority. Tobacco is the largest single cause of avoidable death in Europe and strengthening EU rules on labelling, health warnings and additives should clearly be a priority in this context. We implore Commission president Barroso not to play into the hands of the tobacco lobby and to ensure the legislative review is presented as soon as possible."