EC Refutes Plans to Ban Turkish Tobacco

The European Commission refuted reports that it plans to ban the growing and processing of Turkish tobacco, which stirred alarm in Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian National Radio, BNR, cites Thursday Frederic Vincent, spokesperson of the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, confirming that changes in the EU Directive for Tobacco Products are going to be implemented by the end of 2012.

In his statement, however, the spokesperson stressed that currently the EC is not planning to examine the issue with Turkish tobacco.

The Bulgarian Member of the European Parliament, Maria Gabriel, member of the Agriculture Committee, explained the alarm in Bulgaria was caused by worries Turkish tobacco will be included in the group of the so-called aroma ingredients such as menthol and cherry, which will be most likely banned in the EU via an amendment of the tobacco directive, due to their addictive effect.

Just several days ago, Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture Miroslav Naydenov invited Bulgarian MEPs from all political groups on a meeting to forge a common position in defense of Turkish tobacco varieties.

Turkish tobacco, also known as Oriental tobacco, signifies a number of aromatic varieties of the plant developed and grown in the area of what once was the Ottoman Empire.

It currently comprises the vast majority of tobacco grown in Bulgaria, being also widely grown in neighboring Greece, Turkey and Macedonia, as well as in Italy.

According to Minister Naydenov, Bulgarian national institutions and MEPs must do everything they can to preserve the culture grown for centuries by Bulgarian tobacco farmers.

Turkish/ Oriental tobacco, along with Virginia and Burley is one of the three main types of tobacco varieties grown worldwide.

The EU is planning a ban on certain tobaccos in line with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

According to the convention, these varieties are to be discontinued, as blended cigarettes in which they are used need additional allegedly dangerous additives to be produced.

Critics of the ban have said that it is pointless in terms of health benefits and will just contribute to ruining the economy of communities where Turkish tobacco and Burley are main sources of livelihood.

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