EU calls on more member states to enforce new tobacco products rules

The European Commission on Friday called on more member states to enforce new tobacco products rules.

Vytenis Andriukaitis, European Commissioner for health and food safety, said all European Union (EU) countries were requested to comply with the tobacco products directive by this month.

"I congratulate the countries that have already transposed the directive into national law, and encourage an effective enforcement of the new rules in all member states without delay," he said.

A reduction in tobacco consumption of just 2 percent translates into annual healthcare savings of approximately 506 million euros (567.40 million U.S. dollars) for the EU, according to an official press release.

"Once the new rules are applied and enforced in all 28 EU countries, they will play a vital role in amplifying and consolidating the progress made to date. This makes the new tobacco products directive a true triumph and a lasting legacy for public health in the EU," said the commissioner.

The European Parliament approved the revised EU Tobacco Products Directive in February 2014, expecting it to strengthen the rules on how tobacco products are manufactured, produced and presented in the EU, and introduces rules for certain tobacco-related products.

The new directive is supposed to enter into force in May 2014, after a transposition period of two years EU member states were given to bring national legislation into line with the ruling. Enditem