Reasons to be fearful
Monday, September 10, 2007 
This afternoon I attended two genuinely interesting workshops. The first was an absolute revelation. In order to assess the impact of the smoking ban on social behaviour, researchers are sent - incognito - into pubs and bars where they conduct "covert observation". Trained to watch and record events without attracting the attention of staff or customers, they avoid detection by using crosswords or sudoku grids to jot down notes which they then elaborate upon back in the office.
One researcher told us she had to "dress down" and remove any jewellery before entering some bars, in case she gave herself away. She spoke of witnessing drug deals, but turned a blind eye because her job was to monitor people's smoking habits! Apparently, this type of work has been going on for years, but usually with a view to observing the behaviour of gangs and neo-Nazi groups. To this little list we can now add smokers.
A second workshop revealed the results of the public consultation that followed the publication of the EU's Green Paper, 'Towards a Europe free from tobacco smoke: policy options at EU level'. I had a particular interest in this because, aside from the tobacco industry, Forest was one of only four 'smoker NGOs' to submit a response.
In total, 17 governments and four parliaments replied to the consultation which was launched in January with the EC declaring (with no hint of impartiality):
Cigarette smoke can kill you even if you never light-up yourself. That is why the European Commission has launched a public consultation on the best way to promote smoke-free environments across the EU.
The Green Paper examines the health and economic burdens associated with passive smoking, public support for smoking bans and takes stock of measures taken at national and EU level are all examined.
The paper presents the pros and cons for five options ranging from maintaining the status quo to binding legislation. In conclusion, the Commission believes that a comprehensive smoke-free policy would bring the greatest health benefits to European citizens.
EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou added:
"Passive smoking kills more than 79,000 adults each year in the EU. The evidence from European countries with comprehensive smoke-free policies is that they work, produce results and are popular. A Eurobarometer survey found more than 80% of EU members of the public in favour of a ban on smoking in workplaces and indoor public places. The question is, how can we build on the trend towards smoke-free environments in member states, and what should be the extent of the EU's involvement?"
Given this view of smoking (and passive smoking in particular), the result of the 'consultation' will come as little surprise. Given five policy options, ranging from no action needed (status quo) to binding legislation across Europe, only the Dutch opted for the status quo. Four (Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic and Denmark) support exemptions for some hospitality venues (bars, for example), but France and Poland want smoking bans to extend to entrances to buildings and even some outdoor areas.
The health sector, needless to say, wants a comprehensive ban, with some non-smoker NGOs calling for a ban in outdoor areas such as parks and beaches. The tobacco industry was unanimous in calling for exemptions, although the nature of the exemptions varied slightly. Interestingly, the UK and Slovenia are opposed to binding EC legislation on the grounds that it may not be robust (ie comprehensive) enough - which seems a good reason to support it!
Reader Comments (5)
You forgot to mention the Reception Committee on the pavement, Simon!
For the record, around 30 demonstrators from Freedom to Choose, both sides of the border, and from the Fife Action Group turned up with placards and flags to cheer them on.
Since the smoking ban more people must be subjected to second hand smoke in that they have to pass people smoking outside pubs and clubs. Obviously, it would make more sense to make everybody stay inside where most people are smokers anyway.
I totally agree with Chas. By the way I recently entered a pub to use the loo and it stank of BO and cheap perfume! I was so happy to get back out to the smell of fags!
As French i was very suprice to read about what Mr clarck say but we are just humain and humain are ot perfect....
That is the decret who was add to are law
http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/WAspad/UnTexteDeJorf?numjo=SANX0609703D
For the one who can read French.
In fews words it say that there will be special place for smokers with ventilation. how big the room, how the air extrator have to be....etc
-French are under contistution laws in in uk you are under common laws...
Liberte, Egalite et Fraternite and the one who is going to change that is not born yet unless that person want an other revolution...
We did:"DÉCLARATION DES DROITS DE L’HOMME ET DU CITOYEN DE 1789" ( Humain Right)
-Normally our law are stronger than any decret... and the law is : La loi EVIN du 10 janvier 1991....
End again we know how to get in the street to show we are not happy....
We don't just Talk we make the run too
The english news papers are just making propaganda Because you do not speack other language.... We still are abble to smoke in Italy,"The lower court FORBADE the evidence that there is total lack of evidence on passive smoke dangerousness to serve the political interests " Some retaurant took there case to supreme court and they wim... see when it say in the news paper that italy have a total ban....
Please do not belive what it is say to you just reserche by yourself
80% support from smoking bans? It's such an obvious lie, How the hell does anyone get away with such a blatant exaggeration?
So, every non-smoker and 20% of smoker are in favour of the ban? Is that what they're trying to convince people of. It's so obvious what they're attempting to do; convince people to support the ban by showing them how much support it already has.