Tobacco control for all ? The Belgian case

European Union Member States are, by now, implementing the European Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) 2014/40(1). This directive marks a significant milestone in the fight against tobacco use in Europe. This success has been the result of a joint effort by many that include lobbyists, media, health professionals, lawyers and parliamentarians. Most of all it is European citizens who will benefit from TPD. All are mobilized through the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)(2), which gives relevant leverage on policies for signatory countries. It might appear that the battle has been won when we see that legislation has been implemented, the public is informed, research has provided results, smoking-quit lines are available and affordable, non-smoker are protected by public policies and taxation policies are implemented. During most of the past forty years all these measures have contributed to the decline in smoking prevalence in many countries. However, the rate of decline has become slower and hence it is clear that we have still not reached out to all the people suffering from the ravages of tobacco use. Should we therefore be satisfied, let down our guard and be contented with this slow decline in prevalence? What is the reality?