The EU has told Europe that it must reduce diesel emissions

The European Commission has announced plans to publish laws surrounding the amount of diesel that can be used in vehicles.

For years, there have been an increasing number of motorists who drive diesel powered vehicles.

Although this is mainly a good thing, because diesel is more efficient than gas, it does still pose some threat.

The new legislation will be part of a set of laws that attempts to reduce emissions in vehicles.

Indeed, air pollution has become an increasingly pressing issue in Europe since a study by the World Health Organization showed that cancer risk was linked to diesel vehicles.

In addition, air pollution has been linked to a number of respiratory illnesses such as asthma and lung cancer.

"Diesel vehicles are more efficient, but they emit a higher level of nitrogen dioxide than regular vehicles," said Jacqueline McGlade, executive director of EU body the European Environment Agency.

The European Commission thinks that nitrogen dioxide, combined with other pollutants such as particulate matter, which are generated by smoke and vehicle emissions, causes about 420,000 early deaths in the EU each year, AutoBlog Green has claimed.

It will be difficult for Europeans to alter their lifestyle, however, as diesel vehicles have been such a big part of European travel for a number of years.

In fact, diesel powered vehicles have intentionally become more popular.

Owing to the fact that diesel is more efficient than gas; many countries have offered discounts on diesel fuel.

However, Ms McGlade did say that it is not just diesel that has spurred on the air pollution problem.

Indeed, she claimed that there is a "whole entourage of effects" linked to air pollution.