Welcome to the ENSP newsletter, your source of information on tobacco control across the WHO European Region. At ENSP, our mission is to end the tobacco epidemic and beat cancer through collaborative efforts, research, and advocacy.
Join us in our journey to achieve a tobacco- and nicotine-free world!
Strengthening Tobacco Control Laws in the Moldovan Parliament
On November 12th 2024, the Social Protection, Health and Family Commission in Moldova’s Parliament held a crucial debate on the draft Law no. 280, focusing on strengthening tobacco control measures. This meeting saw an intense discussion on the public health priorities of Moldova, where Svetlana Cotelea-Nicolaescu, Deputy secretary general of the Ministry of Health emphasized the urgent need to adopt stricter tobacco regulations. One of the pivotal proposals included extending bans on smoking traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and hookahs in public spaces, alongside the introduction of a unique prohibition sign recommended by the WHO.

The debate was not without resistance. Despite efforts by the President of the Commission, Adrian Belîi, to limit the tobacco industry’s involvement, industry representatives were present and actively attempting to convince legislators that Moldova should “be smarter than the EU” by avoiding stricter measures. Civil society, including Joachim Verheyen, a fellow of The School for Moral Ambition and working for Vital Strategies in Chișinău, openly expressed their shock at the industry’s presence in these discussions, which are supposed to be driven by public health, not corporate interests.
In a powerful intervention, ENSP General Secretary Cornel Radu-Loghin stood firm in defense of public health, ensuring the tobacco industry’s influence was stopped. Cornel’s statement resonated deeply with all present:
“As part of civil society, I want to tell you a few things. I have 30 years of experience in this field, of which 15 in Romania and 15 in Brussels. When Romania joined the European Union in 2007, it was the second EU country to put pictograms on cigarette packages, although this measure was not mandatory. The directive is not transposed to the letter, but as the Member State wishes. Please stop making arguments that are not real. Look at Belgium, look at the Nordic countries, at Ireland that have regulated the legislation more strictly than the European Directive provides. The directive sets a necessary minimum, from which countries can start. Moreover, this Directive is completely outdated and at the EU level the need to revise it is being discussed, because there the tobacco industry has also managed to influence this process.”
Cornel Radu-Loghin’s intervention dismantled the misleading claims from the tobacco industry, emphasizing that EU directives serve as a minimum standard, allowing countries to adopt stronger regulations to protect their citizens. He underscored that leading EU countries have already set a precedent by surpassing these minimums, calling on Moldova to do the same.
Throwback to the
9th ENSP-ECTC in Athens
The impact of the 9th ENSP European Conference on Tobacco Control continues to resonate, marking a moment of shared knowledge, collaboration, and unified dedication to a tobacco-free future. The ENSP Board, Secretariat, and Conference Committees sincerely thank all participants, speakers, delegates, and local support for their exceptional contributions, which made this remarkable event a true success.

Throughout two impactful days, we welcomed nearly 150 attendees from 35 countries, fostering a global dialogue on tobacco control that transcended borders. The programme featured 20 sessions, including two pre-conference workshops, with a total of 98 presentations.

 

One of the first highlights was the compelling virtual address by the Strategic Advisor to the Regional Director of the WHO EURO, Dr Gauden Galea to the opening ceremony of the 9th ECTC. His insights reinforced the importance of staying one step ahead of the tobacco industry with smart, proactive actions and confirmed once again the WHO’s commitment to supporting countries in adopting and implementing strong tobacco control policies and working with partners such as the ENSP.
He also emphasized the critical role of civil society and NGOs in shaping tobacco control strategies. The collective efforts in industry monitoring, advocacy, communication, and research are invaluable in driving this agenda forward, according to his speech.

The 41 diverse sessions held during the 9th ENSP-ECTC provided a multifaceted exploration of critical themes shaping the tobacco control landscape. Several themes have been covered during the conference such as Tobacco Control Policies; Tobacco Treatment Delivery; Research in Tobacco Control; European and International institutions and their role; The role of civil society; Innovative solutions; Youth; Environment: Economics; Human Rights: Tobacco and Cancer; Tobacco Industry Interference; Meetings of different EU projects and many more.

Moreover, during the ENSP General Assembly, three new organisations have been unanimously voted by the members to join the network:
A special acknowledgment goes to the vibrant youth group, gathered by the Youth Health Organization at the Advanced Youth Tobacco Policy & Advocacy School: Mastering EU-Level Lobbying, which took place before the Conference, between 21-22 October.
 
This Youth School brought together young professionals passionate about public health under a programme that provided hands-on training in tobacco control processes, the functioning of EU institutions, and strategies to counteract tobacco industry lobbying. Participants also joined the prestigious ENSP European Conference on Tobacco Control, engaging with key stakeholders and experienced professionals. This dynamic event empowered attendees with essential skills, knowledge, and networks to drive the next phase of tobacco control and contribute to a healthier future for people and the planet.
The 11th edition of the ENSP Awards

To perpetuate the annual tradition, on the occasion of the 9th ENSP-ECTC, ENSP had the pleasure of awarding extraordinary individuals and organisations from Europe with the ENSP Award for Outstanding Contribution to Tobacco Control:

  1. Posthumous Award - MR Prim. Dr. Kurt AIGNER
  2. Posthumous Award - Neil E. Collishaw
  3. Filippos Filippidis 
  4. Paraskevi Katsaounou 
  5. Sophia Papadakis
  6. Christos Hadjichristoudoulou
As the 9th ENSP-ECTC concludes, our sights are set firmly on the future. Let’s remain connected, inspired, and ready to build momentum toward the 10th European Conference on Tobacco Control. 
 
Together, we will keep driving progress toward a tobacco-free generation and, ultimately, a tobacco-free world.
News from across the Network
20-21 November |  Budapest, Hungary
EuroHealthNet Country Exchange Visit 
Organized under the auspices of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU, this Country Exchange Visit (CEV), hosted by EuroHealthNet’s member NNGYK in Hungary, will bring together representatives of national and regional public health agencies from across the EU to explore strategies and challenges in reducing tobacco and nicotine product use. Participants will discuss the landscape of tobacco and all new related nicotine new products consumption, examine effective interventions and equity impacts, and identify opportunities for collaboration, including leveraging the sustainability agenda. The event will also highlight successful Hungarian prevention programs as models for action, fostering shared learning to advance tobacco control efforts across the EU.
ENSP Secretary General, Cornel Radu-Loghin, will be present and will provide more insights about the European policy agenda in tobacco control.
9 December | Virtual
The 7th ICO-WHO Symposium on Tobacco Control
The global community has recognised tobacco use as a major threat to global health, as well as a social, environmental and economic problem. It is therefore taking concerted international action, facilitated by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
This 7th symposium aims to explore the latest strategies, innovations and future directions in tobacco control. It will provide a platform to discuss major advances, address ongoing challenges and present new guidelines and research. Join us as we bring together experts, tobacco control practitioners and young researchers to advance the global tobacco control agenda.
ENSP Session at the 28th National Congress of the Romanian Society of Pneumology in Sinaia, Romania
During 13-16 November, the 28th National Congress of the Romanian Society of Pneumology took place in Sinaia, Romania. The ENSP had the opportunity to organise a Joint Symposium on Tobaccology in collaboration with the Romanian Society of Pulmonology. With outstanding experts from the Network, this session focused on identifying and understanding the tobacco consumption as a global problem and ways to create bridges between the European and Romanian approaches when tackling this issue. Speakers and participants reflected together on solutions to actively engage in the challenges of reality that the community encounters in medical practice, thus establishing a point of support for fellow pulmonologists and tobacco and nicotine prevention and cessation.
21-22 November |  Cluj, Romania
International Conference on School Hygiene, Health Promotion and Sustainable Development in Schools and Universities
Join us for the International Conference on School Hygiene, Health Promotion, and Sustainable Development, hosted by “Iuliu Hațieganu” University and the ENSP as part of the Eurest-Rise project. The event will feature discussions, workshops, and presentations on topics such as youth health, tobacco control, sustainable development, and environmental education, bringing together researchers, professionals, policymakers, and students to share knowledge and foster collaboration.
Call for Urgent EU Action on
Smoke-Free Recommendations
The European Respiratory Society (ERS), alongside other health organizations, has urged the European Commission to release overdue Council Recommendations on smoke-free environments. These recommendations, intended as part of the EU’s cancer prevention strategy, are critical for public health but remain unpublished. The delay follows an Ombudsman’s inquiry revealing maladministration in the Commission's interactions with tobacco lobbyists. ENSP fully supports their position, as the advocacy groups emphasize the urgent need for robust tobacco control measures, including smoke-free spaces and restrictions on novel tobacco products, to combat Europe's significant burden of tobacco-related diseases
European Societies call EU to Not Lose Momentum on Tobacco Policy
In a recent joint statement, leading health organizations urge swift implementation of Europe's Beating Cancer Plan, stricter tobacco control measures, and updates to EU laws to curb industry influence, protect youth, and achieve a Tobacco-Free Generation by 2040.
“Ratified by all EU member states and the European Commission, the FCTC is designed to curb the devastating effects of tobacco through a wide range of evidence-based measures. It addresses health, economic, and social issues, recognizing tobacco as a hindrance to societal progress and an obstacle to sustainable development. However, two decades later, many challenges persist, as tobacco control requires ongoing, cross-sectoral collaboration. Tobacco impacts far beyond public health alone—it burdens healthcare systems, economies, and social development. For a unified, impactful response to these multi-layered issues, ENSP is urging the European Commission to establish a European Tobacco Control Agency, a dedicated entity focused on aligning with WHO-FCTC principles and effectively coordinating tobacco control efforts across EU member states. This agency could streamline EU tobacco control policies, allocate targeted funding, and support the enforcement of stricter regulations, marking a clear EU policy shift to prioritize public health over tobacco interests.”
 
Cornel Radu Loghin 
ENSP Secretary General
All publications from the TPC Journal can be found here.
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European Publishing Production Team
 
Alicia K. Matthews, Suchanart Inwanna, Jennifer Akufo, Cherdsak Duangchan, Safa Elkefi, Geri Donenberg
 
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