Fiona Godfrey, European Respiratory Society Bratislava, 17 April 2007

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control – FCTC FCTC is the first global public health treaty. The ratification of the FCTC legally binds nations to implement its provisions, including effective measures to protect people from exposure to tobacco smoke. FCTC was adopted in May 2003, went into effect in February 2005, and has been ratified by 146 nations (status 20 March 2007).

FCTC/Article 8 Guidelines Article 8 calls for the adoption and implementation of effective legislative, executive, administrative and/or other measures, providing for the protection from exposure to tobacco smoke in indoor workplaces, public transport, indoor public places and other public places. The FCTC calls on the Conference of the Parties (CoP) to develop guidelines on implementation of Article 8.

FCTC/Article 8 Guidelines (cont.) The Article 8 guidelines will be non-binding recommendations to the parties of the treaty and represent the best practices necessary to protect people from secondhand smoke. The 2 nd Conference of the Parties (CoP-2) will meet in Bangkok, Thailand from 30th June - 6th July At the conference, parties to the treaty will consider and possibly adopt guidelines on the implementation of Article 8.

The need for smokefree policies Secondhand smoke kills, causes disability and disease, and makes existing conditions worse. Exposure can occur in any place where smoking is permitted. There is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Even brief exposure may cause illness. Worldwide, – many million non-smokers are exposed to secondhand smoke regularly at work. – more than 700 million children are exposed to secondhand smoke. – 50 million pregnant women are exposed to secondhand smoke during their pregnancy.

The benefits of smokefree policies Smokefree policies protect and improve health. Smokefree laws have been associated with significant reductions in heart disease. Smokefree policies can also benefit smokers by helping the many smokers who want to quit, making it easier for them to stop and stay stopped. Smokfree policies reduce the overall cigarette consumption rate. Smokefree policies may also lessen the likelihood of young people becoming addicted to tobacco. Smokefree policies have economic benefits.

Campaign Objectives Mobilize NGO support for best-practice smokefree air laws. Raise awareness of smokefree issues in the media. Build support among policy-makers for strong and effective Article 8 Guidelines. Support country-level implementation of comprehensive smokefree air laws in accordance with the Article 8 Guidelines.

Key smokefree principles 1. Secondhand smoke is a significant health hazard. 2. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. 3. There is no safe alternative to 100% smokefree public places and workplaces. 4. Ventilation, air filtration systems and designated smoking areas or rooms do not protect people from secondhand smoke. …./….

Key Smokefree Principles (cont.) 5. All people should be protected from secondhand smoke. 6. All workers have the right to work in smokefree workplaces. 7. Legislation without exemptions is needed to protect people from the dangers of secondhand smoke. 8. Effective enforcement, implementation and monitoring provisions are necessary components of effective legislation.

Campaign Activities Global Voices for Smokefree Air Report: First global status report on smokefree air. Will make the case for country implementation of strong smokefree policies. Will highlight regional “voices” of governmental officials and NGOs working on smokefree policies. Will be released on WNTD 2007 (May 31). A media strategy will be developed with a focus on the campaign’s target countries.

Campaign Activities (cont.) Global Voices for A Smokefree World Campaign: Mobilize 500 organizations to sign on to the Global Voices Campaign Principles. Reach out to governments to secure support for strong Article 8 guidelines. Conduct a media campaign around smokefree air and the Article 8 guidelines.

Campaign Target Countries AFRO Mali Senegal EMRO Iran Jordan Pakistan EURO Germany Portugal SEARO India Thailand PAHO Chile Mexico WPRO China Japan

Campaign Activities (cont.) Global Voices for Smokefree Air NGO Campaign Toolkit: Background materials – Briefing Paper on Article 8 Guidelines – WHO policy recommendations on protection from exposure to secondhand smoke Media materials – Swiss-cheese press release – Swiss-cheese letters to the editor – Media fact sheet on smokefree air and the FCTC Advocacy Activities – Smokefree Declaration: Governments will be asked to endorse a smokefree declaration that mirrors the Article 8 guidelines

Projected Outcomes All Countries: Over 500 key non-governmental organizations will sign up to support the Global Voices Campaign Principles. Target Countries: Meetings will be held with the Ministry of Health and/or delegation members to the Conference of the Parties to ask for support of the Article 8 guidelines. Two to three media stories on smokefree air will appear in the major newspapers of each target country. At least half of the targeted countries will sign a declaration of support for the drafting and adoption of strong guidelines on Article 8 of the FCTC.

How to get involved: Sign up for the campaign

How to get involved: Order a campaign toolkit

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