Italian MEP Pietro Fiocchi launched a scathing critique of the European Commission’s ideological policies on tobacco regulation and ammunition during the ECR Study Days in Stockholm, accusing Brussels of ignoring science, common sense, and Europe’s strategic interests.
On tobacco harm reduction, Fiocchi said the Commission continues to treat all nicotine products the same — regardless of risk — despite mounting scientific evidence. “We have a lot of scientific evidence that alternatives to tobacco are less risky and cause less cancers. So why do you want to punish everybody?” he asked.
Fiocchi, who previously served on the European Parliament’s Special Committee on Beating Cancer (BECA), argued that harm reduction should be the guiding principle. “If we save only one human life in Europe, we reach an objective,” he said, criticizing the Commission’s push for a 120% tax on all tobacco products. “If you raise taxes or do prohibition, you’re going to give this business into the hands of criminal organizations.”
Turning to firearms policy, Fiocchi denounced the Commission’s proposed ban on lead in civilian ammunition. “It’s a nightmare,” he said, warning that the measure would increase military ammunition costs by 20% and devastate European shooting sports. “If we ban lead… we cannot have the Olympics or the World Championship in Europe. Our athletes will be forced to train outside Europe.”
Fiocchi sees both issues as symptoms of an ideologically entrenched EU bureaucracy. “The newly appointed commissioners have not taken control of their structures,” he said. “A lot of people inside the institutions still follow the agenda of the left or environmental parties — without even asking the commissioner.”
He summed up his assessment of current EU policy in blunt terms: “Very ideological. Very stupid.”