Taking on tobacco smoke pollution around the world!

[Anna White]

Dear Friends,

At long last, here is the compilation of smoke-free initiatives that
GPTC members are involved with around the world! The diversity of
strategies is both amazing and fascinating. They include: education
(Benin), legislation (Taiwan, Mauritius, USA-DE, Thailand), litigation
(Uganda), voluntary smoke free policies (USA-MN), and religious decrees
(Senegal).

In some countries smoke-free laws are on the books but not publicized or
enforced, and advocates are working to educate people about them and
lobby their government to enforce them (Jordan, Cameroon). Groups have
also addressed many specific places and populations, e.g. college
campuses (USA-CA), schools (Senegal), and sports events (USA-MN). And
two have discovered that simply removing ashtrays is a good place to
start (Mauritius, Yugoslavia)

Over the past few months, there has been a deluge of exciting smoke-free
successes around the world.  For example, GPTC advisory board member
Hatai Chitanondh played a key role in implementing Thailand=92s new
regulation mandating 100% smoke-free public places. In December, GPTC
Phillip Karugaba won his legal case against the tobacco industry, and
Uganda is scheduled to go smokefree by 2004!  Also in December, the
tobacco industry lost its legal challenge of U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency=92s 1993 report on the health hazards of secondhand
smoke. And within months, New York City is scheduled to go smoke-free!

Below please find: 1) Compilation of responses from around the world. 2)
Some "general lessons". 3) List of additional resources on the topic.

************************************************
TAKING ON TOBACCO SMOKE POLLUTION &
FIGHTING FOR NONSMOKERS=92 RIGHTS AROUND THE WORLD
************************************************

Read original question at:
http://www.essentialaction.org/tobacco/qofm/0209/

BENIN =96 Educating parents
There is not yet strong tobacco control legislation in Benin.  Public
places are not prohibited to smokers. Our organization runs a daycare
center for children between 1-3 years of age.  We noticed that a number
of parents smoke when they come to pick up their children. In absence of
a tobacco control law, we held a meeting to which we invited one of our
doctor members to educate parents about the dangers of tobacco.
Submitted by: Bernard Dossou Dossa, Que Choisir Que Choisir
<quechoisirbenin@avu.org>

CAMEROON =96 Working to Enforce the Law
There is a Ministry of Public Health directive which prohibits smoking
in public places, e.g. hospitals, clinics, schools, public
transportation, etc. This directive has not been strongly enforced. For
this reason, we are working to lobby the Minister of Public Health and
the Prime Minister to enforce the law.
Submitted by: Alphonse Issi, Mouvement National des Consommateurs
<issi1943@yahoo.fr>

TAIWAN - Smoking Bans in Many Public Places
In Taiwan, under our Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act (Article 13),
smoking is prohibited in the following places: 1. libraries, classrooms
and laboratories; 2. performance halls, auditoriums, exhibition rooms
and conference halls (rooms); 3. indoor gymnasiums and swimming pools;
4. civil aircraft, passenger buses, cable cars, taxis, ferry boats,
elevators, closed trains, stations and carriages of rapid transit
systems, and other closed public transportation means; 5. day care
centers, kindergartens; 6. medical care institutions, nursing care
institutions, other medical institutions and welfare institutions for
the disabled; 7. the business areas of banks, post offices and
telecommunications offices; 8. place for the manufacturing, storage or
sale of flammable and explosive items; and 9. other places designated
and publicly announced by the Competent Authority at the central
government level. Our organization had been working with some active
legislators to push The Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act thru legislation
and finally been implemented on September 17, 1997.
Submitted by: Allison Tao, John Tung Foundation  <tobacco65@jtf.org.tw>

MAURITIUS =96 Working to Include Restaurants in Smoke-Free Law
Our tobacco control law prohibits people from smoking tobacco products
while engaged in the preparation, serving or sale of food or foodstuffs
on any premises to which the public has access. It also prohibits
smoking in vehicles carrying passengers for hire and in a wide variety
of other places, e.g. waiting rooms and examination rooms in healthcare
facilities, schools, public libraries, public sports facilities,
pharmacies, museums, post offices, and police stations. Anyone who
violates is liable to be fined. After 3 offenses, a person can be
jailed. After an intense lobbying effort by us, the airport went
smokefree and signs have been hung up throughout it.
     In general, the smokefree law is respected.  It is only in the
restaurants, which are not specifically mentioned in the act, that the
public continues to smoke. Our organization has argued that a restaurant
is =93a place of work to which the public has access=94 which should be
covered by the law, which bans smoking in =93any part of any office
premises or other place of work intended for use by the public.=94 In all
the restaurants with ashtrays, we ask to the manager to remove them.
This practice has the effect of decreasing considerably the pervading
addiction to smoking of these places.
     British American Tobacco counter campaign has already begun. It has
established partnerships with certain restaurant chains and paints the
outside walls of the sponsored restaurants with the colors of the
cigarette brand =93Matin=E9e=94.  It also places paraphernalia with illegal
tobacco ads in the restaurants.
For more information (English & French):
http://www.essentialaction.org/tobacco/qofm/0209/mauritius.html
Submitted by: Veronique Le Clezio, Visa <amadeus@intnet.mu>

JORDAN =96 Law in Place for Awhile, Now Have to Tell People About it!
We have a law that dates back to1977 stating that smoking is prohibited
in closed public places. There were many efforts to enforce the law by
the ministry of health but none were successful because there wasn=92t any
specialized department on this issue. In the year 1996 we implemented a
program between UNICEF WHO and some NGO=92s and organized many campaigns
informing our target groups about this law and how they can support it,
because we realized that no one knows this law. We started with schools,
hospitals clinics, and health centers then all governmental institutes,
including public transportation. In addition, we placed large signs in
many public places and established a penalty for those who break this
law. In places where we have many smokers we made a smoking room away
from were they work, as a first step until we eliminate it completely.
There are some violations to the law by a few individuals, but the
number is decreasing gradually.
Submitted by: Muna Hamzeh, Ministry of Health <jo-est@nets.com.jo>

SENEGAL =96 Smoke-free Schools & Pro-health Religious Leaders
Here in Senegal, smoke-free public places exist and can be classified
into two categories: school and towns.  Many private schools prohibit
tobacco use and sales on or around their premises. The School =93Yalla
Suuren=94 recently declared itself a =93smoke-free school=94 and any teache=
r
or student who fails to comply is dismissed. Signs are posted throughout
the school to remind students, teachers and visitors about the
smoke-free policy. In February 2002, the school =93le Damel=94 also went
smoke-free, following an awareness campaign by MAT-Senegal.
     In the holy towns of Touba and M=E9dina Gounass, where marabouts
(spiritual leaders) reside, the use [and sale] of tobacco is prohibited.
In effect, the anti-tobacco actions taken by marabouts are very
determining and can be used as a pedestal for the progress of the
antitobacco movement in Senegal. During  the Gamou and the Magal (annual
holy pilgrimages), the marabouts give their followers a sacred order,
called =93ndigeel=94, not to smoke.
For more information (French):
http://www.essentialaction.org/fr/tobacco/qofm/0209/senegal.html
Submitted by: Laokein Combo, RESSIP/CONGAD <ressip@sentoo.sn>

THAILAND =96  New Regulation Mandates 100% Smoke-Free Public Places!
>From today (Nov 8, 2002) 19 categories of public places will be 100%
smoke-free in Thailand. In our system this does not have to be enacted
as a law. On 28 February I proposed to the National Committee for
Control of Tobacco Use (NCCTU) that our law - The Nonsmokers' Health
Protection Act 1992 had been in place for 10 years but according to our
research the compliance rate was a mere 4% because of very poor law
enforcement and some impractical points. The NCCTU's chairman (the
public health minister) then appointed me as the chairman of a
subcommittee to consider this issue. I then decided that the former
regulation of dividing an AC restaurants into 25% smoking and 75%
non-smoking zones did not work. So we went for the 100% no-smoking. We
drew up a new Ministerial Announcement, replacing the existing one,
proposed it to the minister to sign on 18 July, sent it to the Royal
Gazette which published it on 9 August, and became effective in 3
months, which is today.
     Just a week before the ban two Thai lawyers of Allen & Overy
(Thailand)co. wrote an article in a daily business newspapers discussing
this new regulation. They stated that this ban is contradictory to the
Constitution, which gives right to people to earn their living through
various professions. They urged people who are affected by this
regulation to sue the public health ministry at the Administrative
Court. We found out later that this law firm serves BAT and Imperial
Tobacco.
For more information:
http://www.essentialaction.org/tobacco/qofm/0209/thailand.html
Submitted by: Hatai Chitanondh, Thailand Health Promotion Institute
<pirayu@asianet.co.th> [From Globalink]

UGANDA =96  Non-Smokers Win Against Tobacco Industry in Court!
Offices like the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Lands, Uganda Coffee
Development Authority, High Court Buildings, Parliament Buildings,
airport, coffee house called Bancafe are smoke free =96 by their own
initiative.  But the big news (from 11 Dec 2002): It is with great
pleasure that I inform you that this afternoon our non-smokers rights
case came to a favourable end. High Court Judge J.H Ntagoba PJ, entered
declarations that smoking in public places was a violation of
non-smokers rights to life and to a clean and healthy environment. He
further ordered the National Environment Management Authority to make
regulations to prohibit smoking in public places within one year. We now
have solid building blocks to make Uganda smoke free by the year 2004.
To read more about this fascinating approach, including BAT=92s nefarious
efforts to undermine it, go to:
http://www.essentialaction.org/tobacco/qofm/0209/uganda.html
Submitted by: Philip Karugaba, The Environmental Action Network
tean@globalink.org

USA =96 CA -Advocating for Stricter Smoking Policies on Campus
The Student Health Center at Ohlone College has been working on a
stricter smoking policy program on campus. We created the STARSS Club,
which stands for "Students Towards A Rapid Smoke-free School." Over the
course of one year, we advocated for a tougher smoking policy, going
from a policy of 20 feet from doors / buildings to creating 4 designated
smoking areas on campus. The STARSS Club held events such as the Great
American Smokeout, Kick Butts Day, petitions to garner support for
designated smoking areas, surveying students on where they think
designated smoking areas should be located, creating and distributing
=91citation warnings=92 to students who violated the policy, and
distributing cessation information.
      We also used the campus newspaper as a resource to get the
awareness out on the project, which in turn became a forum for
discussion and debate regarding smokers=92 rights and issues of secondhand
smoke. We didn=92t shy away from oppositions in the newspaper because we
believed it gave us more visibility. We also developed strong
relationships with our student government and made presentations to key
administrative groups on campus such as the Health and Safety Committee,
the Faculty Senate, and the College Board, which were essential in
getting the new policy adopted. Please contact the Student Health Center
at (510) 659-6258 if you have any questions or would like to discuss
tobacco control strategies on campus.
Submitted by: Sang Leng Trieu,  Alameda Country Tobacco Control Program
<sangleng@yahoo.com>

USA =96 DE =96 Political allies & Grassroots Support
Delaware enacted the most protective smoking ban in the nation when its
Clean Indoor Air law went into effect November 27, 2002. The law
prohibits smoking in most indoor public places including restaurants,
bars, casinos, all workplaces, day care facilities (including private
homes), bowling alleys, pool halls, and all common-use areas such as
hallways, restrooms, lobbies, etc.  In addition, 75 percent of hotel
rooms in Delaware must be smoke-free.  The two things that we believe
really made the difference were the strong commitment from the four
co-sponsors who worked the bill on the floor and the grassroots
involvement.  They were crucial.
     But even with strong constituent support, Delaware=92s smoking ban
was met with challenges and controversy just two weeks after it was
signed into law. Two legislators from the House of Representatives
introduced bills to exempt casinos and bars, and delay the
implementation until January of 2003. Neither bill made it to the floor
for a vote. The Delaware Legislature returns to session in early
January, and attempts to weaken the Clean Indoor Air law are expected to
surface.
Full text: http://www.essentialaction.org/tobacco/qofm/0209/usde.html
Submitted by: Deborah Brown, American Lung Association
<DBrown@ALADE.ORG>

US - DE =96 Democracy and Environmental Groups Expose Tobacco Industry
Influence
Smoke-free legislation efforts can be strengthened by groups outside of
the public health field.  In Delaware, Common Cause (citizen=92s
organization that fights corporate influence over government) and Green
Delaware (environmental advocacy group) teamed up to support the
smoke-free initiative.  They called on DE legislators to take a pledge
not to accept donations from the tobacco industry, delivered copies of a
Common Cause report on Big Tobacco=92s political influence to every state
legislator, and held a press conference the day of the Senate vote.
Also, a simple search of online tobacco industry documents related to DE
was done, and an editorial column was published in the state=92s main
newspaper, detailing how the tobacco industry had thwarted ever single
tobacco control effort in DE, including smoke-free legislation, since
the 1980s =96 effectively undermining both public health and democracy.
This was also shared with policymakers. Read the column:
http://www.greendel.org/item.site?name=3Darticle_butts
Submitted by: Anna White <awhite@essential.org>

USA =96 MN =96 Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation
Minnesota has a statewide initiative called "Tobacco-Free Youth
Recreation (TFYR)."  This Initiative is a partnership between statewide
coordinators and local public health agencies/tobacco control coalitions
to focus on making outdoor recreation areas tobacco free.  TFYR
coordinators and local tobacco control advocates work with city/county
recreation departments to assist them in adopting tobacco-free policies
(either park policies or city ordinances) for their outdoor recreational
facilities, especially playgrounds, youth athletic fields, beaches,
etc.  These policy initiatives require the same type of coordination as
a smoke-free worksite initiative does, only at a smaller scale.  Support
from local youth recreational organizations, parents, concerned
citizens, and youth are needed to convey to policy makers that
tobacco-free recreational spaces are indeed important in reducing youth
tobacco use.  We explain to policy makers that these policies reduce
secondhand smoke exposure, litter, and also portray a positive role
modeling message to youth.
Full text & links to more information:
http://www.essentialaction.org/tobacco/qofm/0209/usmn.html
Submitted by: Brittany Meyer bhm@ansrmn.org

YUGOSLAVIA =96 Painting the Workplace and Getting Rid of Ash Trays
Related to action =93For Clean Air=94 I=92m in contact with many colleagues
that fight for smoke- free enviroments in their work places. I=92m sending
you a story about smoke-free from Dr. Dusanka Vasiljevic-Krusedolac of
Primary Health Care:

         Here, when you ask a smoker not to smoke in your company,
     or raise health concerns, smokers ignore you or question the
     scientific basis for your concern. A year ago, I was appointed
     to a Health Service whose job is to prevent illness of the
     working people. I found that among 30 workers (MDs and
     nurses), 18 smoked.  They were gifted to work with both hands
     at the same time =96 a cigarette in one and a stethoscope in the
     other! The nonsmokers, in the minority, were not bold enough
     even to open a window or complain about the second-hand smoke.

          When I reminded people about the law about smoking, and
     that they should not smoke in the workplace, smokers caught in
     the act simply smiled.  The result of individual reminders:
     smoking out the windows and a fire in the trashcan. After many
     more unsuccessful attempts, we finally painted the working
     room =96 an act of cleansing from old habits. Last warning to
     the smokers was removing of all the ashtrays found on the
     desks.  Result: Working area is at last without cigarette
     smoke. Number of smokers remained the same. Number of
     cigarettes being smoked during working hours has distinctively
     dropped. Smokers gave me credit for this. Nonsmokers have a
     choice.

Submitted by: Andjelka Dzeletovic, Institute of Public Health of Serbia
VladaDz@EuNet.yu

#####

A FEW GENERAL LESSONS

* NOT JUST A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE. The above responses underline that
smoke-free public places is not just a public health issue, but also an
issue that directly relates to workers rights, the environment,
religion, corporate accountability, democracy, recreation, and
children=92s rights, to name just a few. If you plan to work on smoke-free
issues, consider inviting such groups to work with you.

* WINNING ARGUMENTS & TACTICS. In particular, the =93nonsmoker=92s right to
breath clean air=94 and the  =93worker=92s right to a healthy working
environment=94 arguments have proven extremely successful. Exposing
tobacco industry's behind-the-scenes lobbying efforts, e.g. use of front
groups and financial contributions to lawmakers, has also been shown to
be very worthwhile =96 anything that further draws a distinct line between
public health and the tobacco industry.

* APPLY INDUSTRY =93SCREAM TEST.=94 Restaurants and bars are crucial, as
evidenced by the tobacco industry=92s massive efforts to exempt them from
smoke-free legislation or =93accommodate=94 both smokers and nonsmokers by
creating smoking and nonsmoking sections. For more information about
this scam go to:
http://www.tobaccoscam.ucsf.edu/

There is much, much more information available on this topic =96
statistics, examples, as well as proven tactics for countering bogus
tobacco industry arguments. If you are interested in working on
smoke-free public places, contact Essential Action to discuss ways that
we, your global partner, and/or groups with particular expertise and
experience in this area might be able to assist you!

####

MORE RESOURCES

Tobacco Industry Documents
You can use tobacco industry documents to expose the night and day
difference between what the industry says publicly and privately about
the tobacco smoke pollution. Here=92s one example. For more go to
http://tobaccodocuments.org/landman/ and do a search for =93ETS=94

     Why the tobacco industry was so opposed to the U.S. EPA=92s 1993
     rating of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) as a Group A Human
     Carcinogen: "Indirectly, ETS will have considerable influence
     on all other tobacco-related legislation, including taxation,
     marketing freedoms, etc.  Of critical importance will be the
     effect on consumers, practically deprived of more and more
     locations in which they can smoke, and psychologically given
     more incentive to quit."
     http://tobaccodocuments.org/landman/2023920090-0101.html
     http://www.pmdocs.com/PDF/2023920090_0101.PDF

TOBACCO INDUSTRY SITES
One of the main ways that the tobacco industry fights smoke-free
initiatives is by arguing for =93accommodation=94 of both smokers and
nonsmokers via separate seating and costly high-tech ventilation
systems.  Here are some related industry-sponsored programs to watch out
for:

     Options (U.S.)
     http://www.pmoptions.com/

     Courtesy of Choice (international)
     http://www.ih-ra.org/courtesy/

     Atmosphere Improves Results (UK)
     http://www.airinitiative.com/

This wonderful ad from Scandinavia underlines how ludicrous an argument
this is -- a non-smoking section in a restaurant is like a non-urinating
section in a swimming pool!
http://www.essentialaction.org/tobacco/qofm/0202/pissinapool.pdf

KEY ARTICLES

These two articles are specific to the U.S., but relevant to anyone
working on smokefree bars and restaurants. Access the articles on-line
at http://www.tobaccocontrol.com* or ask Essential Action to send you a
copy.

     Tobacco industry manipulation of the hospitality industry to
     maintain smoking in public places 2002 (Tobacco Control,
     11:94-104)

     Exposure of hospitality workers to environmental tobacco smoke
     2002 (Tobacco Control, 11:125-9)

* groups in low-income country may apply for free access to the journal
at:
http://www.bmjjournals.com:80/subscriptions/countries.shtml
A few select general lessons:

THE NEXT SMOKE-FREE FRONTIER: PROTECTING KIDS IN HOMES & CARS

Smoking, children shouldn't mix, surveys find - Globe & Mail
Almost four in 10 Canadians want smoking banned in homes where children
live, new research shows, and 57 per cent say that smoking should be
banned in cars carrying children. Half feel that parents' smoking habits
should be taken into account in child-custody cases. [Globalink News &
Information =96 4/12/02]

-------------------------------------------------
Global Partnerships for Tobacco Control
Essential Action
P.O. Box 19405
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: +1 202-387-8030
Fax: +1 202-234-5176
Email: tobacco@essential.org
http://www.essentialaction.org/tobacco