Brian Simpson MEP, who is Labour's Agriculture spokesperson in the Parliament, called the proposal to increase direct payments to tobacco growers as "not only hypocritical but immoral". 

In a lively debate Brian Simpson said: "For once the European Commission is right to stop direct payments to tobacco farmers and to make that money available to improve public awareness of the dangers of smoking. There is no justification for tobacco subsidies to be given to farmers from both a public health and economic perspective."

Other MEPs, particularly from Spain and Greece argued that tobacco growers should not be victimised and that ending tobacco subsidies would lead to the end of the European tobacco growing industry, which would favour other countries. They want more money to be given to EU tobacco farmers.

"Subsidies should end in 2012 and I find it not only hypocritical but immoral to hear some MEPs calling for more subsidies. The European Parliament has consistently called for stricter health warnings on cigarette packets, has consistently voted to put more money into education and programmes to help people quit smoking, and now the Agriculture Committee want to give more money to produce the very product that is killing people" said Brian Simpson MEP.

The report will be discussed by the full Parliament on Monday and Mr Simpson hopes that because of the work of Labour MEPs, the Agriculture Committee report will be overturned and common sense will prevail.