Protection and promotion of public health in EU law

The paper presents overview of development of the principle of protection and promotion of public health in EU law and current legal framework together with legal and non legal instruments used to put this principle into practice. Protection of public health comes a long way, but only since Treaty of Maastricht, there is a legal basis for EU to deal with some issues of public health. EU Health Strategy, presented through its principles and objectives, is a culmination of the referred process. It gives a strategic approach for dealing with health issues that suggest actions at all levels, including global, regional and local level, and also participation of all relevant actors. The author also gives an overview of important role of European Commission, concerning protection of health.