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AUB academics: New law on tobacco control should adopt strong provisions and contain no loopholes 

Lebanon should adopt a strong tobacco control law to protect its citizens, especially its children, from health hazards, said AUB academics and members of the Lebanese civil society, during a press conference in which they announced their position vis-à-vis a draft law on tobacco control, currently being studied by Lebanese parliamentarians.

The conference was held at AUB to an overflow audience of academics, media representatives and members of civil society. MP Ismail Sukkariyyeh and Dr. Walid Ammar, the director-general of the Ministry of Health also attended the news conference.

Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), Iman Nuwayhid, opened the conference saying:

"Academic and research institutions have a big role to play in positively influencing policy-making." . . .

"We need total bans of smoking in closed/indoor public places, since designated areas for smoking have been scientifically proven to be ineffective in protecting the health of people," said Rima Nakkash, assistant research professor at the AUB Faculty of Health Sciences and coordinator of the AUB Tobacco Control Research Group.

"Secondly, a total ban on advertising AND promotion of tobacco is essential. This includes bans on sponsorship, sale of branded items, and distribution of free samples, since they target youth mostly. Finally, the new law should call for large-sized, rotating health warnings with clear pictures, in line with the FCTC international treaty."

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