Tobacco.org

• Health Dept. Vows To Enforce Ban on Smoking in Public 

The Department of State for Health and Social Welfare has expressed its willingness and determination to enforce the ban on smoking in all public places with immediate effect as stipulated under the Prohibition of Smoking (public places) Act of 1998. The declaration of its intent is contained in a press release issued by the Department yesterday. This Act, was enacted on the 23 September 1998, thereby making public smoking unlawful and punishable

The Act defines public places to include all government premises, all work places, hospitals or health facilities, private premises, Vehicles and shops to which the public have access. The release has urged all heads of institutions, organizations, workplaces and other public places to implement this Act. In such establishments, smoking will be allowed only in clearly labeled designated smoking areas.

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• Health Ministry Poised to Enforce Smoking Act  

Following a nationwide regional consultations on the Prohibition of Smoking Act (public places) Act of 1998, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, as a ministry assigned to implement this Act, has with immediate effect banned smoking in all public places as stipulated under the Act.

A statement issued by the Ministry yesterday said all heads of institutions, organizations, workplaces and other public places are hereby urged to implement this Act as in such establishments, smoking will be allowed only in clearly labelled designated smoking areas.

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• WHO convention on tobacco control ratified  

Dr Tamsir Mbowe, Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare on Tuesday tabled before members of the National Assembly, the World Health Organisation Convention on Tobacco Control for ratification. The objective of this convention and its protocols, is to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tabacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke by providing a framework for tobacco control measures to be implemented by the parties at the national, regional and international levels, in order to reduce continually and substantially the prevelance of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke.

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• PanAfrica: UK Firms Gives African Youths Tobacco - Report 

A BBC investigation has found that a British tobacco company is actively targeting young people and teenagers in Africa.

Cigarettes are being handed out free at youth events specially organised by tobacco firms during school holidays.

The companies insist they only give the samples to adult smokers, but there's evidence their own rules are not being followed.

The investigation is a further blow to an industry already dogged by accusations of dirty tricks and dubious marketing techniques, particularly in developing countries.

The company involved, British American Tobacco (BAT), has pledged to re-train its staff to stop the practice. . . .

The Gambia, a Muslim country, used to be one of the few places where cigarette advertising was banned.

After a military coup the ban was lifted three years ago and now tobacco sponsorship is everywhere.

The result has been a doubling of cigarette sales almost overnight. The World Health Organisation believes it has also led to an increase in smoking among children.

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• A Taste of the West / Developing Countries Come up Against Big Tobacco 

In the Hungarian town of Eger, northeast of Budapest, if you asked directions to its 13th century castle or its famous therapeutic baths the answer might go something like this:

“Head down past the Philip Morris symphonic orchestra, take a left when you see the Philip Morris sponsored county hospital, a few blocks further you should pass the Philip Morris AIDS prevention program, and when you see the Philip Morris homeless shelter you are almost there.”

“This situation is not unique,” says Tibor Szilagyi, Secretary of Health 21 Hungarian Foundation, which raises money for health projects. “It’s happening in many Hungarian cities. Tobacco companies are entering every segment of Hungarian society.” . .

When Philip Morris sponsored an anti-smoking campaign in Hungarian schools in 1996 it used the slogan, “We don’t want our children to smoke. Smoking is an adult habit.” The campaign was a spectacular failure. . .

In struggling countries where people dream of the opportunities in America, billboards offer them, “The Taste of Freedom,” in cigarettes sold in red, white and blue packs.

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Head down past the Philip Morris symphonic orchestra, take a left when you see the Philip Morris sponsored county hospital, a few blocks further you should pass the Philip Morris AIDS prevention program, and when you see the Philip Morris homeless shelter you are almost there.
Hypothetical directions to Eger's (Hungary) 13th century castle. Cuen, L., <I>A Taste of the West / Developing Countries Come up Against Big Tobacco</I>