EU & the smoking ban

I'm not sure whether this topic has been covered often enough, so I'll do a quick recap'. The smoking ban was implemented in several different EU countries within the space of a couple of years (see Wiki). A coincidence? I think not.

There isn't, to my knowledge, a specific EU Directive demanding that Member States implement such a ban*, but they made it pretty clear which way the wind was blowing with the 'Concluding remarks' in their "Report on the Green Paper Consultation: Towards a Europe free from tobacco smoke: policy options at EU level" (pdf), which was of course a typical fake-consultation, but hey:

The great majority of contributors welcomed the Green Paper as a timely addition to the EU and global debate on smoke-free policies and expressed support for further efforts to promote smoke-free environments throughout the EU.

The majority of respondents share the Commission's view that only a full smoking ban in all enclosed workplaces and public places, with minimum exemptions on humanitarian grounds, an adequately protect the health of citizens and workers.

As for the ways to achieve this goal, the need for strengthened action both at Member State and EU level was identified. The recent trend towards smoke-free policies throughout the EU was applauded. At the same time, it was acknowledged that not all governments have made attempts to better protect their citizens from tobacco smoke, while a number of others have encountered serious difficulties in introducing comprehensive smoke-free legislation, mainly in the hospitality and leisure sector. EU support in such cases was recognised as particularly important. The need to take into account and support the FCTC guidelines on smoke-free environments was also emphasised.

Building on the support received in the Green Paper consultation, the Commission intends to put forward a follow-up initiative on smoke-free environments by the end of 2008. This would assist Member States in implementing comprehensive smoke-free laws in line with the FCTC guidelines.

Current work on second-hand smoke under the different Community programmes will continue. The Commission is also willing to continue its media prevention campaign beyond 2008 provided that adequate resources are made available.

Of course, this is a case of The Righteous leading The Righteous, as national governments are basically just subsidiaries of the EU, but national governments in turn decide the make up of the Commission and the Council, but AFAICS it's yet another reason to get out sharpish.

* Although there are a lot of specific EU directives and regulations that are heading in this general direction.