Jump to full article: UICC Global Smokefree Partnership (ch), 2009-11-10
Intro: In mid 2009, more than 400 million people are protected by comprehensive smokefree laws. These are the strongest smokefree laws, which do not allow any designated smoking rooms and include only extremely limited exemptions. A further 500 million people are covered by strong smokefree laws. These laws protect most people, most of the time. Overall, close to a billion people in some 44 countries now have local or national regulations protecting them from secondhand smoke in most enclosed public places and workplaces. We expect to see continuing progress in the year ahead, as more and more countries prepare to take action.
Smokefree air for all
This rapid progress is delivering smokefree air to people in countries around the globe. Policies are being implemented successfully in a variety of places
- in low income nations and more affluent ones, in small localities, major cities, and vast countries. Despite the wide variation in countries covered by smokefree laws, their experiences are very similar. In country after country:
• smokefree laws are good for health
• most people support smokefree laws
• with proper planning and resources, enforcement is straightforward
• hospitality sector profits and jobs remain safe
The message is clearer than ever: smokefree air policies work.
Focus on low and middle income countries
However, there is a long way to go. Despite the rapid progress, more than 85% of the world’s people remain without meaningful protection from secondhand smoke, many of them in the low and middle income countries that will bear the brunt of the global tobacco epidemic. Clear tobacco control policies are urgently needed. Without them, tobacco related illness, disability and death will cost low and middle income countries dearly. Smokefree air laws must be a priority for low and middle income countries.
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The tobacco industry’s dirty tricks
The biggest barrier to smokefree air is the multinational tobacco companies who stand to lose billions of dollars if smokefree laws are implemented.
From fake “science” to buying influence, and from scare stories to coverups, tobacco companies continue to devote their considerable wealth to stopping smokefree laws in every region of the world.
This report details the tobacco industry’s tactics to hold back legislation, alongside the positive impact of governments, organizations and individuals who are taking on Big Tobacco, and winning.
In late 2008, world governments agreed to a series of FCTC guidelines based on the recognition that tobacco company interests are fundamentally incompatible with health, welfare or “good causes.”2
These guidelines outline governments’ responsibilities under Article 5.3 of the FCTC on tobacco industry interference. They are expressly designed to stop Big Tobacco’s dirty tricks. The guidelines are essential to winning the battle for smokefree air.
Governments must continue to act, if they are to meet the goal of protecting everyone from secondhand smoke by 2012.
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