Smokefree Laws Inevitable Worldwide, says new international report

Brussels, May 31, 2007

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More than 200 million people worldwide will be fully protected from secondhand smoke at work and in public places by 1st July 2007, according to a report published today (May 31). The report concludes that the dramatic success of smokefree laws makes it inevitable that comprehensive smokefree air legislation will be introduced worldwide, including in all European Countries.

The report, Global Voices for a Smokefree World, was released by the Global Smokefree Partnership to coincide with the World Health Organization's World No Tobacco Day.

"We are proud that European Countries such are Ireland or the UK are in the lead of countries taking action on secondhand smoke" said Fiona Godfrey of the European Respiratory Society. "According to the report, by 1^st July 200, at least 65 million European citizens will be protected by 100% smoke free laws in these two countries alone."
However, the report warns that with each year government's delay taking action, billions are left exposed to the lethal chemical cocktail of secondhand tobacco smoke, including 390 or so million people living in the other European countries of the EU.
The Smoke Free Partnership believes that these hard-hitting messages present a strong case for all EU governments to meet the challenge to make all indoor workplaces and public places 100% smokefree without delay.