Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission
2.6.2023
The Commission closely monitors the issue of conflict of interests across the tobacco control portfolio, also in the context of public procurement, where a Single Framework Contract for Support Actions in the Field of Tobacco Control (FWC) was awarded in January 2023[1].
Under that contract, the European Network for Smoking Prevention (ENSP) as part of a joint tender signed a Declaration of honour and absence of conflict of interest in the field of tobacco and these documents were assessed during the evaluation of the tenders before awarding the contract .
ENSP also committed to take all the necessary measures to prevent any situation of conflict of interest during the implementation of the FWC, to notify of any situation that could constitute a conflict of interest, and to take immediate action to rectify the situation[2].
The declaration on honour with respect to absence of conflict of interest will be reconfirmed for each specific contract concluded under the FWC.
The Commission is committed to ensure a transparent implementation and development of the tobacco control policy framework.
The Commission is currently carrying out an evaluation of the legislative framework for tobacco control[3]. In this context, stakeholders, including consumers and the general public, are able to provide evidence, express their views on the EU tobacco-control rules, and be involved in the policy-making.
The evaluation, and any possible next steps, are carried out in line with the Better Regulation principles[4].
- [1] Contract number 2023/S 017-048118, awarded to three contractors (partners in a consortium), including European Network for Smoking Prevention, see https://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:048118-2023:TEXT:EN:HTML
- [2] Call Documentation published on TED: https://etendering.ted.europa.eu/cft/cft-display.html?cftId=11077
- [3] This included the Tobacco Products Directive 2014/40/EU, the Tobacco Advertising Directive 2003/33/EC and other related tobacco control policies across the EU.
- [4] See https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13481-Evaluation-of-the-legislative-framework-for-tobacco-control_en