'We need to wait' - Barroso on Tobacco Products Directive

The European Commission will not hold any further discussion on the health and consumer policy portfolio previously held by John Dall until the formal appointment of Tonio Borg to the position, EC president José Manuel Barroso told MEPs Against Cancer (MAC) in a letter.

Barroso, who is said by Dalli to have asked him to resign, told MEPs in a letter that he was currently discussing with vice-president Maros Sefcovic the "best way forward on the revision of the Tobacco Products Directive".

Concretely, this is likely to postpone the Tobacco Products Directive till next month as Tonio Borg stills needs to grilled by MEPs on his competence on health and consumer policy.

President José Manuel Barroso said that the "the decision making process of the Commission in the tobacco file was not affected".

Stricter packaging conditions that cover up to 75% of the surface area of cigarette packs with health warnings, as well as a complete ban on smokeless tobacco were measures to be introduced in the new directive.

Both Leaders of  the Liberal Group and the Social Group today criticised Barroso on the delay on the Tobacco Products Directive during the plenary meeting in Strasbourg.