JA-SAFE

Project description:

JA-SAFE – Joint Action on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention including Smoke and Aerosol Free Environments is a project that brings together public authorities, research institutes, and health organizations from across Europe with the aim of preventing and reducing the use of tobacco and nicotine products, exposure to second-hand smoke, and alcohol-related harm at both population and individual level.

Background:

The use of tobacco and nicotine products and alcohol consumption represent a major public health challenge. In 2024, 173 million people in the European Region of the World Health Organization (WHO) used tobacco, representing 24.1% of the population (WHO, 2025).

The rapid spread of new tobacco and nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes, is also concerning, especially among adolescents. Data show that in the WHO European Region, 14.3% of young people aged 13 to 15 use e-cigarettes, which is the highest prevalence in the world (WHO, 2025). Exposure to second-hand smoke remains high: 21.5% of people are exposed to cigarette smoke in indoor public spaces, while 35.8% are exposed to smoke from e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (Eurobarometer, 2023). The European Union is the region with the highest alcohol consumption per capita in the world- 7 out of the 10 countries with the highest alcohol consumption are EU Member States (WHO, 2024).

Purpose of the project

The objective of the Joint Action on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention including Smoke and Aerosol Free Environments (JA-SAFE) is to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases, including cancer, and their risk factors at both the individual and population levels, with a particular focus on tobacco. Tobacco use is considered the most important cause of preventable morbidity and premature mortality globally and is the leading cause of premature deaths in the European Union. The Joint Action aims to significantly reduce the use of tobacco and nicotine products and exposure to second-hand smoke across Europe, thereby contributing to the EU’s goal of achieving a tobacco-free generation. The project includes nine work packages within five thematic areas: smoke-free environments, prevention of alcohol consumption, smoking cessation, steps towards a tobacco-free generation, and support for health promotion and disease prevention in Europe.

Project objectives

The National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) participates in four work packages with the following objectives:

–    Work package 5: Support the implementation of the EU Council Recommendation on Smoke-free Environments (SAFE) through appropriate approaches at local, regional, and national levels that promote compliance with and enforcement of smoke and aerosol free environments. Using strong scientific evidence, contribute to reducing risks from harmful exposure to second-hand smoke of tobacco and nicotine products in indoor spaces and certain outdoor environments by promoting greater adoption and enforcement of protective measures in EU Member States.

–    Work package 6: Support EU initiatives, including Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, by implementing activities to reduce alcohol consumption and reduce young people’s exposure to alcohol marketing. A specific objective of this work package is to assess and reduce exposure to alcohol, particularly in the online environment.

–    Work package 8: Support the implementation of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, particularly in achieving a tobacco-free Europe through measures that will help create a “Tobacco-Free Generation”, where less than 5% of the population will use tobacco by 2040, compared with around 25% today.

– Work package 9: Support the implementation of the EU Council Recommendation on smoke- and aerosol-free environments, related tobacco control legislative frameworks, risk factors for non-communicable diseases, and support general preventive measures for non-communicable diseases.

Phases of the project (Work Packages)

The project is organized into several work packages that ensure effective management, implementation of activities, and sustainability of results. WP1- Coordination is responsible for the overall coordination of the project, management of the partnership, and cooperation with the European Commission, with strategic support also provided by the Steering Committee and the Expert and Youth Advisory Groups.

The main project activities are carried out in thematic work packages WP5-WP9, which focus on promoting a Smoke and Aerosol Free (SAFE) Europe, preventing Alcohol-Related Harm, expanding tobacco control interventions in healthcare settings, accelerating the path toward a tobacco-free generation, and strengthening disease prevention and health promotion.

The thematic activities are further supported by work packages: WP2- Communication and Dissemination, WP3- Evaluation, and WP4- Sustainability, which ensure effective communication and dissemination of results, monitoring of project progress, and the long-term sustainability of its outcomes.

Added value

Through coordinated action, evidence sharing, and the development of practical research and implementation guidelines, JA-SAFE supports Member States in translating evidence-based prevention measures into practice. In doing so, it contributes to the EU’s goal of achieving a tobacco-free generation, preventing alcohol-related harm, and strengthening health promotion systems.

Expected results and materials

The thematic work packages will develop examples of good practice, analytical reports with recommendations for policymakers, practical tools such as collections of methods, instruments, and guidelines for policy implementation, as well as real-life case studies and empirical evidence. There will also be active knowledge exchange with key stakeholders and policymakers at both EU and Member State levels, supporting the introduction of policies and their effective implementation.

Duration of the project: 48 months (2025-2029)

Leading organization: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (UOA)

Project partners: 60 institutions from 23 countries

Funding: Co-funded by the European Union under the EU4Health Programme 2021-2027 on the basis of the grant agreement No. 101233428.

Disclaimer: This project has received funding from the EU4Health Programme 2021-2027 under Grant Agreement 101233428. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Neither the European Union nor the grating authority can be held responsible for them.

Photos of meetings and events: JA-SAFE Kick-off meeting in Athens, Greece, 3-5 november 2026