STAGE 5. Defining the action plan

What steps should be completed?

Step 1: Specify intervention actions

CREATING TOBACCO SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENTS

Establishing laws prohibiting or limiting smoking in confined spaces significantly reduces environmental pollutants from tobacco smoke and the number of people exposed to environments contaminated with it.¹ 

Banning smoking in public spaces and work places reduces tobacco use by 3-4%² (results from high-income countries).

Smokers working in smoke-free spaces have more than twice the chance of ceasing smoking than those who work in places where smoking is allowed.³

Recommendations to establish closed spaces free of tobacco smoke⁴:

GOOD FUNCTIONING

POOR FUNCTIONING

Good planning, sufficient resources, firm political commitment, effective use of the media, thorough wording of laws, and participation of civil society. When enacting laws prohibiting smoking in closed workplaces, it is important that all establishments in the same sector (for example, bars and restaurants) are tobacco smoke-free at the same time, rather than limiting it to those with specific characteristics or dimensions. Generating broad public support with population education campaigns on the benefits of tobacco-free workplaces, including business owners to inform them that this will not harm their business. Ensure compliance with the law, by adopting a more active approach in the period immediately after it is passed. Making establishment owners and managers responsible for enforcing laws that promote smoke-free spaces, rather than fining smokers. Monitoring compliance with legislation and its impact, advertising the lack of negative effects for companies.

Voluntary measures (ineffective). An obligation to provide ventilation systems and/or spaces reserved for smokers (does not reduce exposure to second-hand smoke to an acceptable or safe level). Lack of political and public support.

 

References:

1 Hopkins DP et al. (2001). Reviews of evidence regarding interventions to reduce tobacco use and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 20(2S): 16–66.

2 Fichtenberg CM & Glantz SA. (2002). Effect of smoke-free workplaces on smoking behaviour: systematic review. British Medical Journal. 325 (7357):188.

3 Bauer JE et al. (2005). A longitudinal assessment of the impact of smoke-free worksite policies on tobacco use. American Journal of Public Health. 95:1024–1029.

4 World Health Organization (2008). MPower: A plan of measures to push back the epidemic of smoking. Geneva: World Health Organization.