MEPs Urged to Protect Tobacco Prevention in Cancer Plan

Policy and EU affairs
Written by Web Team

In brief

The European Parliament votes on 12 November on its report on Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. Amendments tabled ahead of the vote would weaken the report’s prevention commitments, including the goal of a Tobacco-Free Generation by 2040. Lung Cancer Europe is urging MEPs to keep the strongest evidence-based prevention language in the report.

Key figures

  • 2040: the year by which Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan aims to create a Tobacco-Free Generation

  • 20: the number of amendments tabled on 4 November ahead of the plenary vote

  • 27 to 8: the Public Health Committee’s vote adopting the report on 28 September, with 5 abstentions

  • 12 November: the date of the plenary vote

Lung Cancer Europe is urging Members of the European Parliament to reject amendments that would weaken the prevention commitments in Parliament’s report on Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. The report will be debated in plenary on 11 November and voted on 12 November.

We have published a position statement setting out what the amendments would change and what we are asking MEPs to do, and we have shared it with the rapporteur, Vlad Vasile-Voiculescu MEP.

What is the European Parliament voting on?

The report reviews how Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan is being put into practice and sets out Parliament’s priorities for the next steps, from prevention and early detection to treatment and quality of life. It was adopted by the Public Health Committee on 28 September by 27 votes to 8, with 5 abstentions.

As an own-initiative report, it does not change EU law directly. But it signals to the European Commission where Parliament stands, including on the revision of EU tobacco legislation.

What would the amendments change?

On 4 November, 20 amendments were tabled ahead of the plenary vote. Among other changes, they would:

  • replace the explicit 2040 Tobacco-Free Generation goal and the call for a timely revision of EU tobacco legislation (amendment 14)

  • keep the 2040 goal, but replace the call to revise EU tobacco legislation “without further delay” with “in due time”, taking into account tobacco-growing regions (amendment 12)

  • replace plain packaging with less specific packaging rules (amendment 3)

  • replace the call for excise-duty convergence and the supportive language on smoke- and aerosol-free environments (amendments 15 and 16)

  • replace calls for stronger, EU-level alcohol labelling with voluntary or national initiatives (amendments 17 and 18)

  • delete or replace the call for harmonised front-of-pack nutrition labelling (amendments 8 and 20)

What does this mean for people affected by lung cancer?

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Europe, and tobacco is its leading cause. Prevention is one of the most effective ways to reduce the number of people diagnosed, and decisions taken now on tobacco control will influence how many people are diagnosed in the decades ahead.

Clear information on alcohol and nutrition, and science-based action on environmental risks such as PFAS, are also part of effective cancer prevention. Voluntary initiatives can help, but they are not a substitute for evidence-based public health measures.

What is Lung Cancer Europe calling for?

In our position statement, we urge MEPs to:

  • Keep the 2040 Tobacco-Free Generation goal and a timely revision of EU tobacco legislation, including plain packaging, marketing restrictions, evidence-based fiscal measures and protection from second-hand smoke and aerosols

  • Not lose sight of the 2040 goal, whatever text is adopted

  • Keep clear language on alcohol-related harm and transparent consumer information

  • Recognise the importance of healthy, evidence-based diets, and keep the call for harmonised front-of-pack nutrition labelling

  • Keep science-based action on PFAS

  • Support accessible, healthy school meals and a Cancer Survivor Smart Card that is voluntary, secure and gives people control over their data

This builds on our position on the EU’s 2028–2034 budget, where we called for Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan to be backed with the resources needed to deliver it.

What happens next?

The key dates ahead:

  • 11 November: Parliament debates the report in plenary

  • 12 November: Parliament votes on the report and its amendments

Prevention is one of the most effective ways to reduce the number of people diagnosed with lung cancer. Europe should not step back from it now.

Read our position statement

Frequently asked questions

What is Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan?

It is the EU’s plan for tackling cancer, launched by the European Commission in 2021. It covers prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, and the quality of life of people living with and beyond cancer.

What is a Tobacco-Free Generation?

It is the Plan’s goal that, by 2040, less than 5% of the population uses tobacco. Reaching it depends on strong, up-to-date tobacco control across the EU.

Is the Parliament’s report legally binding?

No. It is an own-initiative report, so it does not change EU law. But it sets out Parliament’s position and influences what the European Commission proposes next.

How can our organisation help?

Contact your MEPs before the vote on 12 November and share our position statement with them.

Sources

Web Team
Next

Do infections cause lung cancer? What the new study shows