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Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council
Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Health), 20 June 2025
Main results
Mental health of children and adolescents in the digital era
The Council approved conclusions on promoting and protecting the mental health of children and adolescents in the digital era.
In a world where the digital landscape is constantly shifting, protecting the mental health of our children is not a choice — it’s a duty. We must act with clarity and compassion to shield the youngest minds from harm and empower them to thrive online and beyond. The conclusions approved today lay out clear, targeted actions to better protect our children and teenagers and strengthen their resilience in an ever-evolving online environment.
Izabela Leszczyna, Polish Minister for Health
The aim of the conclusions is to better protect the mental health of children and adolescents by promoting the safe and healthy use ofdigital tools and creating a healthier, safer and more age-appropriatedigital environment.
Ministers held a policy debate on the proposed critical medicines act (CMA), which aims to support manufacturing and improve the availability of critical medicines in the EU, in the face of severe shortages such as antibiotics, insulin, and painkillers.
Ministers identified the parts of the CMA that they viewed as particularly effective in helping to secure the supply of critical medicines in the EU, as well as possible areas for improvement. They also set out their member states’ priorities and concerns in relation to the proposed regulation.
Overall, ministers’ views on the CMA were positive, with many agreeing on the need to address medicine shortages, particularly in the context of the broader security framework. Specific elements highlighted included the introduction of strategic projects and joint procurement for critical medicines and medicines of common interest. Some member states stressed the need for further analysis of contingency stocks in the proposal, while others expressed doubts over the financing of the new measures, with many calling for funding at EU level.
Other factors raised included the need to fine-tune the public procurement criteria, as well as for the measures to be proportionate, without encroaching on member-state competences.
EU measures on prevention, including reduction of tobacco and alcohol consumption
The Council exchanged views on effective policy and legal measures at EU level to prevent and reduce consumption of tobacco and related products, as well as alcohol. In particular, ministers discussed the main priorities for the EU in the area of public health activities, and suggested practical actions that could be taken at EU and member-state level to strengthen institutional cooperation in disease prevention and health promotion.
A number of ministers called for the revision of the EU’s tobacco legislation to be prioritised. The Council also welcomed the Commission’s commitment to prepare an action plan on cardiovascular diseases. Many member states highlighted the need to focus on protecting children and young people, particularly as regards the availability and attractiveness of novel tobacco products and alcohol.
Under 'any other business', ministers received information on:
Current legislative proposals
International limits on the number of children per sperm or egg donor
The fight against disinformation on health issues
A continued and urgent call for action at EU level to protect young people from harm caused by novel tobacco and nicotine products, in particular e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches
Impact of the extended producer responsibility under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive on the supply of medicinal products
Presidency conferences
Negotiations for an international agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, as well as complementary amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005)
Work programme of the incoming Danish presidency
Informal lunch debate
Over lunch, ministers held an informal debate, entitled Cybersecurity of hospitals and healthcare providers – paradigm shift in the healthcare sector: how to find a common approach in the EU.
