EURACTIV PR

An easy way of publishing your relevant EU press releases.

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

Date

23 Oct 2012

Sections

EU Priorities 2020

 

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."

 ---
Richard More O'Ferrall,
Press and media officer,
Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament
Mobile: +32-477-443842 - Ph. +32-22841669 (Brussels); +33-388174042