05.12.11

Tobacco companies consistently work to prevent and undermine smoke-free laws. The tobacco industry and its allies have funded hospitality associations and other third parties to oppose smoke-free laws, argue that smoke-free laws will economically damage hospitality venues, promote ventilation and voluntary smoker accommodation’ as an alternative to smoke-free laws, and to challenge smoke-free laws in court. In 2008 the Netherlands extended its smoke-free law to hospitality venues.

06.12.11

The EU Health Ministers have just adopted a declaration (Council conclusions) on chronic respiratory diseases in children. The conclusions recognise that the biggest risk factors for the development of chronic respiratory diseases are a combination of genetic predisposition with environmental exposure to inhaled substances and particles, such as environmental tobacco smoke, poor indoor air quality and outdoor air pollution.

25.11.11

A new study by Doctors Curto, Martínez-Sánchez and Fernández estimates the prevalence of tobacco consumption and second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure in private cars, commercial vehicles and taxis in the city of Barcelona, Spain.

The study is available online on the BMJ website.

3 March 2011 - Dundee Hilton Hotel, Scotland

A conference to better equip communities to reduce exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke (SHS) in private homes and cars.

Spain was one of the first European countries to implement a tobacco control law. However, the ban on smoking in enclosed workplaces had an important exception in the hospitality sector — bars, pubs, taverns, restaurant and hotels (Tobacco Control 2006;15:79–80).

On the occasion of national No Tobacco Day 2010 in several European countries, the European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention reiterates its claim that only total smoke-free laws improve health by preventing heart attacks, improving respiratory health and preventing cancer. Ventilation cannot be an effective solution.

As of 1 September 2010 there will be a blanket ban on smoking in all indoor public areas throughout Greece, with stiff fines for transgressors. The ban applies equally to work places and recreational venues, without the option of a special smoking area, except in the case of casinos and recreational venues larger than 300 m² playing live music. For the last two categories, there will be an eight-month transitional period and the full ban will begin to apply from 1 June 2011.

In Budapest smoking is prohibited from 5th August 2010 by order of the capital’s Municipal Assembly /Reg. 34/2010. (VI. 21.)/ in the subways. Breaking the regulation means infringement, thus smokers can be punished with a 30 000 HUF fine for lighting up or the delegate of the Capital Public Area Supervisory Body (PASB) can impose a fine on the spot. Camera system in subways and ten miniature cameras fixed on the clothes of the staff of PASB for testing facilitate controlling and demonstration. In eight districts of the capital 80-100 delegates are in attendance upon PASB.

The ENSP Secretariat has compiled a document summarising the status quo as to applicable smoke-free legislation throughout Europe. European Trends towards Smoke-free Provisions is available for download below.