[Evaluation and comparison of tobacco control legislation in member states of the European Union]. / Evaluation et comparaison de la législation de contrôle du tabagisme dans les Etats membres de l'Union Européenne.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, tobacco use represents the main cause of avoidable deaths in Europe. Public health authorities have several means at their disposal to fight against this epidemic. For instance, legislative action can operate on the supply side as well as on the demand side, with the aim of reducing tobacco consumption in the targetted populations. METHODS: A systematic data collection of all legislative texts dealing with tobacco control was carried out within the framework of the EuroLego project. This was done, either through direct contact with the countries or through a systematic computer and manual search of data bases concerning the 15 member states of the European Union. RESULTS: At present, the legislative context varies widely from one country to another, whether regarding the number of texts adopted or the subject that is covered. Since the 1950s, a marked increase in the number of legislative texts has been noted as well as a trend towards harmonization of the texts among the different member states. CONCLUSIONS: Several health recommendations can be put forward in the context of public health activities with priority to be given to the protection of the children and the young and to the defense of the rights of non-smokers.