Background:
Tobacco use is a leading cause of respiratory diseases in Europe, alongside its significant contribution to cancer and cardiovascular conditions. Aligned with the European Commission’s 2021 pledge to deliver a tobacco-free generation, European scientific, healthcare, and civil society organizations have renewed calls for action. A positive step is the recent release of the updated Council Recommendation on Smoke-Free Environments, which aims to protect citizens from exposure to secondhand smoke and emissions from novel tobacco and nicotine products. This recommendation includes an extended list of public places where smoking and the use of these products should be prohibited, which will be specifically beneficial for young people and children, enhancing their protection from harmful exposure.

Objectives:
This presentation aims to provide an overview of relevant EU legislative files, their current status, and their importance in achieving a tobacco-free generation by 2040. It will also discuss how these legislative measures are crucial for tackling the burden of tobacco-related diseases across Europe. Furthermore, it will outline necessary steps at the EU and national levels to improve and strengthen regulations to protect public health.

Methods:
The presentation will address key actions aimed at reaching the tobacco endgame, including (1) strengthening the implementation of the updated Council Recommendation on Smoke-Free Environments, (2) aligning taxation on new tobacco and nicotine products with traditional cigarettes, (3) banning flavors in tobacco and vaping products, (4) introducing an annual public monitoring mechanism for tobacco control, (5) revising key tobacco directives such as the Tobacco Products Directive, Tobacco Taxation Directive, and Tobacco Advertising Directive, and (6) exploring the introduction of Tobacco 21 policies, which would raise the legal age for purchasing tobacco products to 21 across the EU.

Results:
The updated Council Recommendation on Smoke-Free Environments is a crucial step toward reducing exposure to harmful emissions from conventional and novel tobacco products. The pending revision of the Tobacco Products Directive and other frameworks is essential to addressing emerging products and aligning regulations with public health goals.

Conclusions:
Building on the progress of the updated recommendations, future European Commission leadership must prioritize revising other key tobacco directives to meet the goal of a tobacco-free generation by 2040. These measures will support the European Beating Cancer Plan and protect public health across the EU.