The Minister of Health, Maggie De Block, said she was ready to take the necessary steps to establish a neutral pack of cigarettes in this legislature, she indicated in the House committee. However, she wants to wait to see the effect of legislation adopted in other countries and the outcome of pending legal proceedings.
The tone rose Monday between the CD&V and the Open Vld about the plan to fight tobacco, the former accusing the minister of not doing enough, in particular on the establishment of a neutral package. A few days earlier, the same scenario had played out in terms of alcohol. The atmosphere seemed calmer in committee on Tuesday when the minister presented her anti-smoking plan, even if the Flemish liberals did not taste the criticism. " I sometimes felt like I was on a commission of inquiry“, Said Dirk Janssens.
Australia introduced the measure in 2012, accompanied by a significant price increase. The number of daily smokers fell by 3%. Laws have been passed in France, Great Britain and Ireland and are due to come into force shortly.
The Minister wishes to consult the actors concerned, examine the effect of these laws and the outcome of proceedings instituted against them. " If it appears that this is a good deal, we will still take the necessary initiatives under this legislature.“, She said, stressing that a transition period was necessary. The opposition has castigated what appears to them to be procrastination, in particular accusing Ms. De Block of using certain arguments drawn from studies funded by tobacco companies, such as the increase in illegal trade. " You no longer say: I don't want to but we'll see later. You step back so as not to move forward; it's not acceptable“, Underlined Catherine Fonck (cdH).
Experts have already spoken in favor of the neutral package, to hear the opposition. " That we stop saying what to do studies and evaluate what is being done in other countries“, Added Muriel Gerkens 
(Eco).
In April, at the end of the budgetary control, the minister presented a fight plan aimed at reducing the proportion of smokers to 17% aimed in particular at informing consumers but also at deterrence via the increase in the price of tobacco: in 5 years, this will have increased by 25%. A first bill for the neutral package has already been rejected because there was no consensus within the government on the tobacco plan. In the meantime, this has been adopted. Other subjects still do not reach a consensus, in particular the total ban on advertising, still permitted in points of sale, said Ms. De Block.
Some parties are calling for other measures, such as increasing the age required to buy tobacco, currently 16, and banning smoking in cars when children are in them. It was agreed that parliament would take it up.
Source : Levif.be
