WHO asks for stringent smoke-free norms to reduce smoking

10 July, 2007:

A significant World Health Organization (WHO) anti-tobacco meeting has adopted stringent definitions of what it means to have a smoke-free bar or office. It has been revealed that one billion people would die of tobacco-related diseases this century unless governments in rich and poor countries alike got serious about preventing smoking.

The meet urged the governments to introduce tried-and-tested policies such as aggressive taxation, banning cigarette advertising and establishing totally smoke-free public places. These measures, according to experts could make sure that global smoking rates would halve by 2050.

According to the guidelines, which are not legally binding, there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke. The norms add that halfway measures such as designated smoking areas, air filtration or ventilation do not work. The new norms come at a time when the tobacco industry knows that ban on smoking entirely in public places and work places would encourage smokers to reduce their consumption and encourage them to quit. It also reduces the chances that people will initiate the habit, a report on the meeting adds.

The guidelines do not apply in the United States of America, Russia, or Indonesia. The reason being that these three nations are not members of the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). However, anti-tobacco campaigners hope they will still act as a benchmark by which national, state and municipal rules in the three countries will be judged. WHO officials pointed out that they were optimistic that Russia would accede to the FCTC soon following a recent demonstration of political will in Moscow to address the chronic public health problems in Russia caused by tobacco and alcohol.

The meet also pointed out that second-hand smoke is not a nuisance, but deadly and lethal. International laws against cross-border tobacco advertising are also being mulled over.