Every year over 1.9 million people die from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in the European Union. Over 180 000 deaths from CVD are caused by smoking. In order to reduce effectively the risk of CVD from the use of tobacco and nicotine products, such use must be eliminated completely.
To eliminate the use of tobacco products, EHN believes that first and foremost the EU and all European countries need to establish comprehensive tobacco control strategies including high taxes, comprehensive bans on direct and indirect advertising of tobacco, smoking bans in public and workplaces (including restaurants and bars), and strong warnings on labels (including pictorial warnings).