National rules generally pursue legitimate public policy goals shared by all Member States, for example public security ..., the protection of public health and safety, the protection of the environment, consumer protection, the preservation of public confidence in the financial services sector and the guarantee of suitable qualifications for the performance of certain specialised professions.
The objective of this Directive is the harmonization of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning the maximum tar yield of cigarettes, taking as a basis a high level of public health protection by the reduction of the health damage caused by tar.
