„I welcome the positive vote in today’s European Parliament plenary in favour of engaging in negotiations with the Council. We have witnessed a lively and thorough debate on the Commission’s proposal for the revision of the Tobacco Products proposal, and I would like to thank the MEPs for their support and to pay a special tribute to the rapporteur – Linda McAvan – for her commitment, determination, and important contribution towards securing this favourable vote.

It’s not the end of the road but this will allow us to take the process of negotiations forward and to engage with Council in order to come to a meaningful agreement on the file.

Indeed, the Commission will now carefully analyse the amendments adopted today, and define our position, so that negotiations can continue in trilogue. I am confident that the revised Directive on Tobacco Products can still be adopted within the mandate of the current Parliament. All institutional actors have to play their role since EU citizens expect all of us to act on tobacco and to adopt in the near future a new legislation which will put the EU on the frontline on a global stage”.

Author: ec.europa.eu/health

14.10.2013