European countries' delay in setting up smoke-free areas

A new one interactive map smoke-free spaces, published on December 15 by the European coalition Smoke Free Partnership (SFP)[1], shows that several European countries are not adequately protecting their citizens against tobacco smoke in public places in accordance with Article 8 of the WHO Framework Convention which recommends protective measures against exposure to tobacco smoke.

SFP analysed smoke-free legislation and compliance in 42 countries in the WHO EURO region (EU countries + Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom). The results are based on a survey distributed to specialist non-governmental organisations in the countries assessed. The survey was conducted during 2021. Data on legislation in force refer to texts applicable on 1 June 2022.

Significant progress to be made in several European countries

According to the map, only 18 of the 27 EU countries comply with the international obligations on smoking bans under Article 8 of the WHO FCTC. Among them, Ireland and the United Kingdom are the best performers in terms of both legislation and compliance. The Netherlands is the country that has made the most significant progress in recent months, while Germany, Croatia and Bulgaria are the countries for which smoke-free policies and their level of implementation are particularly worrying. These countries are also particularly "vulnerable" to the tobacco industry lobby, a reality that is a major explanatory factor. While Greece has a good smoke-free legislation (ban on smoking in stadiums, restaurants/bars, indoor workplaces, including heated tobacco in these bans), the measure is, on the other hand, very poorly respected, in particular again due to the very strong interference of the industry with policy makers to delay and/or weaken anti-smoking measures. As for the development of smoke-free places in outdoor places, Sweden is the first and only country to have introduced a total ban on smoking on terraces. Overall progress is also being made regarding the inclusion of heated tobacco products and new products placed on the market in the scope of this ban.

In France, the legislation and compliance with it is described as "good", as the country does not have a ban on terraces and outdoor workplaces. The legislation provides for a ban on smoking in all indoor workplaces, including bars/restaurants, as well as on public transport and all indoor collective use areas. This legislation is generally well respected with regard to indoor places, however, circumvention practices, particularly concerning terraces, are very regularly reported and this protective legislation is therefore not effective at 100%.

The burden of passive smoking

Smoking remains the leading preventable premature cause of death worldwide and in Europe. In addition, exposure to tobacco smoke is responsible for approximately 1.2 million deaths worldwide and 24,000 in the European Union.

For example, according to a 2021 study, exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with an increased risk of developing heart failure, even in the absence of other risk factors.[2]. Another recent study found that people exposed to secondhand smoke were 51% more likely to develop oral cancer, which mainly affects the lips, tongue, palate, gums or inside of the cheeks.[3].

The implementation of smoke-free spaces has been shown to be effective in reducing illness and death caused by smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke. Smoke-free legislation in Europe is increasingly protecting millions of Europeans from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. Strong public support for this legislation has also led to an encouraging level of compliance.

Improving national legislation to achieve a European tobacco-free generation

According to Lilia Olefir, director of Smoke Free Partnership, “ The ambitious revision of the Council Recommendation on smoke-free environments is a crucial element of Europe's Beating Cancer Plan. Strengthening national smoke-free legislation and improving its enforcement to ensure 100% smoke-free environments without exceptions is a key axis to achieve a tobacco-free generation and ensure that smoking prevalence is reduced to 5% by 2040 in Europe. »

In this perspective, SFP makes several recommendations, including:

• Remove exemptions to smoking bans, as well as the possibility of setting up smoking rooms;
• Extend the smoking ban to all outdoor public or work spaces;
• Extend the consumption ban to new and emerging products;
• Implement the provisions of Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control regarding the protection of tobacco control policies from tobacco industry interference at the national level;

©Tobacco Free Generation

AE