The Tobacco Free Europe campaign was officially launched on May 7, 2009 at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The overall aim of the campaign is to promote tobacco control as a key health priority during the forthcoming European elections, as well as to build alliances with politicians and policy makers. ‘The Tobacco Free Europe pledge’ was open for signature by all Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) on this occasion.

The campaign is supported by the European tobacco control community and its steering group is composed of the SmokeFree Partnership, the European Network for Smoking Prevention, the European Cancer Leagues and the European Heart Network.

A key element of the campaign is ‘The Tobacco Free Europe pledge’. The pledge is based on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) provisions and it reaffirms the right of all people to the highest standard of health:

 Strong measures to counter tobacco marketing, promotion and imagery
 Tough new measures to control tobacco smuggling
 Commitment to taxation as a tool to reduce smoking prevalence
 Comprehensive protection from tobacco smoke
 Helping people to stop smoking
 Stopping tobacco industry influence on government’s tobacco control policies
 Making industry liable for its actions

By signing the pledge MEPs and candidates will show their support for the effective implementation of the FCTC and tobacco control. In return, this will allow the tobacco control community to hold the successfully elected European Parliamentarians accountable for their commitments beyond the election.

Over the coming months a number of activities are planned to promote the pledge and reach out to candidates and MEPs. A second public event is planned for the second half of 2009.

The names of candidates and Members of the European Parliament who have signed the pledge can be found on the campaign website as well as the pictures of the event and relevant materials.