Within most European populations, smoking prevalence rates differ substantially according to people’s educational level, occupational class and income level. In the European countries, smoking inequalities are generally largest, and smoking is the largest single contributor to socio-economic inequalities in mortality. Significant inequalities in smoking are now emerging in all European countries, especially in the youngest generations. Tobacco products and secondhand smoke (SHS) kill, as documented in over 20 reports (eg: IARC, US Surgeon General). Exposure to SHS kills at least 79 000 people in the EU each year, incl. deaths from lung cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke and chronic non-neoplastic respiratory disease; plus deaths in childhood caused by SHS, deaths in adults from other conditions known to be caused by active smoking and the significant, serious morbidity, both acute and chronic, caused by SHS. Special Eurobarometer 385/2012 indicates that almost one third of European citizens currently smoke either cigarettes, cigars or a pipe. As smoking is responsible for half the difference in deaths across socio-economic groups, tobacco control has a major role to play in reducing health and social inequalities.ENSP plays a major role in Europe to prevent the tobacco industry from biaising and slowing down the tobacco control process. Indeed, ENSP was created for a tighter collaboration within the tobacco control community and for a stronger and united civil society action against tobacco. Key objectives during 2015-2017:- The support to the Directive 2014/40/EU and FCTC implementation- The facilitation of the creation and the operation of national alliances for tobacco control in Europe.- The stimulation of and the participation in European projects - The facilitation of networking in Europe- The collection and distribution of informationEuropean Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention 2015-2017: connecting, sharing, advocating to save lives!
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Within most European populations, smoking prevalence rates differ substantially according to people’s level of education, income or occupation. In European countries, smoking inequalities are generally high, and smoking is the largest single contributor to socio-economic inequalities in mortality. Significant inequalities in smoking are now emerging in all European countries, especially amongst young people. Tobacco products and secondhand smoke (SHS) kill, as documented in over 20 reports (eg: IARC, US Surgeon General). Exposure to SHS causes around 79.000 deaths every year in the EU, including:- Deaths from lung cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke and chronic non-neoplastic respiratory disease; - Deaths in childhood - Significant morbidity, both acute and chronicSpecial Eurobarometer 429/2015 indicates that almost one third of European citizens currently smoke, including cigarettes, cigars and pipes. As smoking is responsible for half the difference in deaths across socio-economic groups, tobacco control has a major role to play in reducing health and social inequalities in Europe.With an increased capacity within its Secretariat, ENSP has the challenging task in 2016 to locally support its network members in the implementation of the TPD 2014/40/EU after its transposition into national laws by the month of May 2016. With activities based on scientific evidence and academic research, including a scientific committee, a new peer reviewed journal and a network of universities involved in tobacco control, ENSP has all the necessary competences and expertise to create a real impact in the de-normalisation of tobacco use in Europe. Remaining the only structured network specifically dedicated to tobacco control at European level, its work highly contributes to the comprehensive coordination of national and international tobacco control initiatives. ENSP 2016 work programme contributes to its wider 3-year strategy.
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Compared to the rest of the world, the WHO European Region has one of the highest proportions of deaths attributable to tobacco. Eurobarometer 429/2015 indicates that almost one third of European citizens currently smoke, including cigarettes, cigars and pipes. The highest rates of tobacco consumption were found in Southern countries such as Greece (38%) and in Bulgaria (35%), while Nordic states have the lowest rates, with only 11% in Sweden and 19% in Finland. The rate of tobacco use differs substantially from one country to another, not only according to people’s level of education, income and occupation but also country of residence. This means that European citizens are facing the harsh reality of health inequalities, not only at national level but also at European level. Within this intricate context, ENSP is determined in 2017 to work at local and national levels to tackle the inequalities that are linked to tobacco use, and more specifically supporting countries that are lagging behind in implementing the TPD 2014/40/EU and WHO FCTC. With activities based on three main pillars: “Research, Prevention and Treatment”, ENSP is determined to: 1. Reduce the demand for tobacco products by tackling illicit trade; 2. Prevent young people from taking up by challenging targeted marketing and encourage tax increase; 3. Contribute to tobacco-related scientific research; 4. Facilitate the provision for tobacco dependence treatment. With exhaustive communication, the 2017 activities will be instrumental to the denormalisation of tobacco in Europe. While it will continue to work at European level with the Parliament, the European Commission and other Brussels-based and international partners to advocate for tobacco control focus policies and activities (f.e. revision of Directive 2011/64/EU on excise duties), ENSP is committed to support EU Member States as well as neighboring countries at national level, providing them with specific tailored support and leadership.
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Tobacco consumption is the major single cause for premature deaths in the European Union (EU).
Special Eurobarometer 458/2017 indicates that over a quarter (26%) of European citizens are currently smoking, and an increase in consumption amongst young people aged 15-24 is observed since 2014 (from 24% to 29%). Smoking within the EU is estimated to cause 700.000 deaths annually, half of which are among 35–69-year-olds. As smoking is responsible for half the difference in deaths across socio-economic groups, tobacco control has a major role to play in reducing health and social inequalities.
ENSP plays a major role in the EU to prevent the tobacco industry from biasing and slowing down the tobacco control community effort. Key objectives for 2018 are:
O.1 - To assist and support the European Institutions with the complete implementation of tobacco control legislation, through the effective transposition and enforcement of the TPD (2014/40/EU) and the implementation of the WHO FCTC - through the provision of solid scientific evidence and awareness raising at the EU level.
O. 2 -To strengthen advocacy capacity at EU MS National level, and more particularly to empower Civil Society organisations, Policy Makers, academics, experts and all other relevant stakeholders through the provision of science based evidence, increased health literacy, promotion of healthy lifestyle decisions, disease prevention and improving access to tobacco dependence treatment, through a wide range of channels and innovative tools
O. 3 - To reduce health inequalities due to tobacco use at the micro level, through focusing on the 3rd Health Programme thematic priority areas and tobacco use, and through the engagement of youth in tobacco control activities
O.4 - To enhance the sustainability of the actions performed through the Operating Grant so as to ensure the strategic long term development and return on EU investment in the post Operating Grant period

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Tobacco consumption is the major single cause for premature deaths in the European Union (EU). Special Eurobarometer 458/2017 indicates that over a quarter (26%) of European citizens are currently smoking, and an increase in consumption amongst young people aged 15-24 is observed since 2014 (from 24% to 29%). Smoking within the EU is estimated to cause 700.000 deaths annually, half of which are among 35–69-year-olds. As smoking is responsible for half the difference in deaths across socio-economic groups, tobacco control has a major role to play in reducing health and social inequalities.

ENSP plays a major role in the EU to prevent the tobacco industry from biasing and slowing down the tobacco control community effort. Key objectives for 2019:

O.1 - To assist and support the European Institutions with the complete implementation of tobacco control legislation, through the effective transposition and enforcement of the TPD (2014/40/EU) and the implementation of the WHO FCTC - through the provision of solid scientific evidence and awareness raising at the EU level.

O. 2 - To strengthen advocacy capacity at EU MS National level, and more particularly to empower Civil Society organisations, policy makers, academics, experts and all other relevant stakeholders through the provision of science-based evidence, increased health literacy, promotion of healthy lifestyle decisions, disease prevention and improving access to tobacco dependence treatment, through a wide range of channels and innovative tools.

O. 3 - To reduce health inequalities due to tobacco use at the micro level, through focusing on the 3rd Health Programme thematic priority areas and tobacco use, and through the engagement of youth in tobacco control activities.

O.4 - To enhance the sustainability of the actions performed through the Operating Grant so as to ensure the strategic long-term development and return on EU investment in the post Operating Grant period.


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Efforts to mitigate the devastation of tobacco-attributable morbidity and mortality have advanced in Europe and consist of the adoption of the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), and the WHO FCTC. In the face of a changing tobacco product landscape, where dual- and poly-tobacco use has become an increasing public health problem, strategies for addressing the tobacco epidemic must also evolve. Moreover, despite the existence of regulations that are efficacious in reducing the demand for tobacco products, effective implementation remains a persistent challenge across EU MS with an imperative and documented need for regional actions and non-fragmented communication. In light of the above the ENSP 2020 objectives are as follows:
1: To assist and support the central EU level empower capacity at the EU MS National level, for Civil Society with implementing and assessing tobacco control legislation through the provision of scientific evidence and awareness raising
2: To empower capacity at the EU MS level, Civil Society, Policy Makers, clinicians and other stakeholders through the provision of science-based evidence, increased health literacy and improving access to tobacco dependence treatment.
3: To enhance the exchange of tobacco control information across countries, disciplines and generations.
4: To enhance alliances between EU tobacco control stakeholders, to promote sustainability and to ensure the wise use of EU funds.

Results that will be generated include reports on expert mapping, TPD assessment, toolkits, fact sheets, hot topics, guidelines and online modules and information sharing venues. End users and target groups of the 2020 ENSP OG include but are not limited to EU regulators, EU MS regulators, Civil Society, Youth, the Media, the Public, Clinicians and other stakeholders.
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Efforts to mitigate the devastation of tobacco-attributable morbidity and mortality have advanced in Europe and consist of the adoption of the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), and the WHO FCTC. In addition, European Commission’s Green Deal, a milestone for cancer prevention, recognises the importance to address reinforced measures to limit tobacco use while Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan aims to reduce the cancer burden for patients, their families and health systems. In the face of a changing tobacco product landscape, where dual- and poly-tobacco use has become an increasing public health problem, strategies for addressing the tobacco epidemic must also evolve. COVID-19 pandemic also confirmed how vulnerable smokers, e-cigarette users, novel product users or those exposed to second-hand smoking can be, as preliminary data showed that they are at increased risk for severe symptomatology, hospitalisation, admission to an ICU or even death.

In past years ENSP illuminated new challenges the tobacco control community faces with the emergence of new products that undermine tobacco control and cessation efforts and created evidence fact sheets on taxation, tobacco flavours and heated tobacco and facilitated high-level discussions. ENSP also devoted its work to provide evidence on the 2020 Menthol Ban and emerging EU market trends (the entry of Juul) to ensure that stakeholders, from EU policy makers to the public are provided with “evidence-based” information. Moreover, a pervasive challenge expressed by ENSP Network Members in 2019/2020 is the continued interference and new tactics employed by the tobacco industry that has become more clandestine, even in the period of COVID-19 pandemic.

An evolution of the 4-year strategy detailed in the FPA, the 2021 ENSP annual work programme is structured into 4 general objectives that stem from a problem analysis area, to be addressed through 8 operational objectives continuing to further develop sustainable activities.
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TOB-G project aims to develop and implement an innovative and cost effective approach to prevent chronic diseases related to tobacco dependence. The specialized guidelines for high risks groups will be developed according to ENSP’s evidence based and good practices in tobacco cessation and with ERS TCC scientific material on smoking health hazards. High risk populations are considered those who suffer from cardiovascular diseases, COPD, type 2 diabetes, adolescents & pregnant women.The developed guidelines will contain strategies and recommendations designed to assist health professionals in delivering and supporting effective treatment of dependence on tobacco. Recommendations will be made as a result of scientific reviews and evidence of good practices from scientific groups that will consist of health professionals of different expertise. To monitor the quality of the approach a pilot implementation of the tobacco cessation will be conducting for each group. The assessment of the effectiveness of the tobacco cessation guidelines will be the primary aim of the scientific groups and will be measured by the number of people quitting smoking after the pilot implementation. Since the tobacco cessation guidelines will be addressed to health professionals, the partnership will develop and implement an e-learning training for guidelines use.The project fits perfectly the objectives and priorities of the 3rd Health Programme, as it will assist health professionals to provide guidance and targeted prevention to high risk populations engaged to the unfavourable lifestyle of smoking. Training primary care physicians addresses the lack of specialist doctors in EU and increases access to tobacco cessation specialists. TOB-G project will enhance the overall European capacity in the treatment of tobacco dependence, thus, in the prevention of chronic diseases, through offering smoking cessation tools, appropriately assessed and fitted to the specific needs of high risk groups.
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In Europe smoking inequalities are generally very large due to education, occupation and income level; smoking and other forms of tobacco consumption are considered the single most important cause of preventable morbidity and premature mortality worldwide, with tobacco being the major single cause for premature deaths in the European Union (EU). Special Eurobarometer 458/2017 indicates that over a quarter (26%) of European citizens are currently smoking, and an increase in consumption amongst young people aged 15-24 is observed since 2014 (from 24% to 29%). Smoking within the EU is estimated to cause 700.000 deaths annually, half of which are among 35–69-year-olds. As smoking is responsible for half the difference in deaths across socio-economic groups, tobacco control has a major role to play in reducing health and social inequalities. Efforts to reduce tobacco-related deaths and illness in the EU are made by the newly adopted binding legislation, the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), and the ongoing implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
ENSP plays a major role in the EU to prevent the tobacco industry from biasing and slowing down the tobacco control community effort. Key objectives for 2018-2021 are:
1. To assist and support at EU level the European Institutions with the complete implementation of tobacco control legislation, through the effective transposition and enforcement of the TPD (2014/40/EU) and the implementation of the WHO FCTC - through solid scientific evidence and awareness raising
2. To strengthen advocacy capacity at the EU MS National level, and more particularly to empower Civil Society organisations (Tobacco Control coalitions and NGOs), Policy Makers, academics, experts, etc.
3. To reduce health inequalities due to tobacco use at the micro level
4. To enhance the sustainability of ENSP to ensure the strategic long-term development, return on EU investment and continuation of activities post the 2018-2021 OG
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Within most European populations, smoking prevalence rates differ substantially according to people’s educational level, occupational class and income level. In the European countries, smoking inequalities are generally largest, and smoking is the largest single contributor to socio-economic inequalities in mortality. Significant inequalities in smoking are now emerging in all European countries, especially in the youngest generations. Tobacco products and secondhand smoke (SHS) kill, as documented in over 20 reports (eg: IARC, US Surgeon General). Exposure to SHS kills at least 79 000 people in the EU each year, incl. deaths from lung cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke and chronic non-neoplastic respiratory disease; plus deaths in childhood caused by SHS, deaths in adults from other conditions known to be caused by active smoking and the significant, serious morbidity, both acute and chronic, caused by SHS. Special Eurobarometer 385/2012 indicates that almost one third of European citizens currently smoke either cigarettes, cigars or a pipe. As smoking is responsible for half the difference in deaths across socio-economic groups, tobacco control has a major role to play in reducing health and social inequalities.ENSP plays a major role in Europe to prevent the tobacco industry from biaising and slowing down the tobacco control process. Indeed, ENSP was created for a tighter collaboration within the tobacco control community and for a stronger and united civil society action against tobacco. Key objectives during 2015-2017:- The support to the Directive 2014/40/EU and FCTC implementation- The facilitation of the creation and the operation of national alliances for tobacco control in Europe.- The stimulation of and the participation in European projects - The facilitation of networking in Europe- The collection and distribution of informationEuropean Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention 2015-2017: connecting, sharing, advocating to save lives!
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