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Conclusions of the Towards a Smoke-free Society Conference - 11 September 2007

1. There is now unequivocal evidence that exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke causes disease, disability and death. There is no level of second-hand smoke exposure that can be considered safe.
2. This conference supports  the  FCTC Guidelines on Protection from Exposure to Tobacco Smoke (Article 8) that:
   • everyone has the right to the highest attainable standard of health
   and that
   • all people should be protected from second-hand smoke,
   and therefore
   • all indoor workplaces and indoor public places should be smoke-free
   • as voluntary smoke-free polices are clearly ineffective, legislation is necessary to protect people from exposure to tobacco smoke
   • to be effective, the legislation must be simple, clear and enforceable.
3. This conference has provided clear evidence that the FCTC principles on smoke-free legislation are robust. It has been shown that an important requirement for successful legislation is good planning and preparation. Legislation has been supported by the great majority of the population in countries where it has been preceded by good communication about the risks of second-hand smoke and why legislation is needed.
4. We have seen the value of monitoring and evaluating the implementation and impact of smoke-free legislation. This emphasises the role and importance of research in providing the evidence base for tobacco control policies.
5. The Scottish evaluation has shown that comprehensive smoke-free legislation can:
   • cut levels of tobacco smoke in enclosed public places and greatly improve indoor air quality
   • significantly reduce exposure to second-hand smoke in non-smoking adults and children
   • reduce the number of cases of acute myocardial infarction in the general population
   • reduce respiratory symptoms of bar workers
   • change both attitudes and smoking behaviour and produce a real shift in social norms around smoking.
6. In the light of the foregoing: 
   • this conference urges all parties to the FCTC to implement comprehensive smoke-free legislation within 5 years in line with their obligations
   • we invite the WHO to encourage and support all other countries to also implement strong  smoke-free policies
   • we invite the European Commission to produce a proposal on how legislative safeguards against second-hand smoke can be promoted in all those EU countries that have not yet introduced them, and to show leadership in implementing the FCTC smoke free guidelines at a global level
   • we stress the need for and value of an active comprehensive programme of research at EU and national level to support tobacco control policies. Within the EU, the Commission should monitor whether the FCTC obligations have been met.
7. The damage to health from exposure to second-hand smoke in public places and   workplaces is only a small part of the immense amount of disease, suffering and loss of life caused by tobacco. Smoke-free legislation is thus only one part of a comprehensive tobacco control strategy: Priority should also be given to:
   • protecting people from second-hand smoke in the home and private motor vehicles
   • providing smoking cessation services and products that are available  and affordable to all smokers who want to quit
   • reducing the availability, affordability, visibility and attractiveness of tobacco to young  people. 
8. We urge all governments to monitor the activity of the tobacco industry and to consider tighter regulation and control of the production and marketing of this highly addictive and lethal product.
9. We further appeal to all governments to recognise and act upon their responsibility to protect and discourage all children and young people from ever starting to smoke.
10. It has taken a long time to understand the full extent of the impact of tobacco on human health. Now we have this understanding and the means to act on it, let us all go forward with a commitment to reduce tobacco-related harm here in Europe and across the world.

Useful links:
National evaluation of Scotland's smoke-free legislation (including papers published to date)
Smoke-free success: ASH Scotland presents the Scottish experience
Smoke-free legislation in Scotland
Global Smoke-free Partnership: Briefing on smoke-free and the framework convention

Useful Links: 

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