World Heart Federation : Global Smokefree Partnership
World Heart Federation
Return to index

GLOBAL SMOKEFREE PARTNERSHIP PLANS FOR WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY 2007 AND BEYOND

The World Heart Federation encourages its members to celebrate World No Tobacco Day, 31 May 2007, and to join the Global Smokefree Partnership as ways to be better advocates for policies to eliminate tobacco smoke in pubs, restaurants, workplaces and other public places.

The World Heart Federation sits on the board of the Global Smokefree Partnership and is both a founding and funding partner. The partnership was founded in December 2005 to promote effective antismoking policies worldwide.

“Tobacco smoke is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease,” said World Heart Federation Chief Executive Officer Janet Voûte. “Through the Global Smokefree Partnership, we are better able to focus on reducing peoples’ exposure.”

Membership carries privileges

Membership in the Global Smokefree Partnership is free and provides access to a “members only” section of the partnership’s web site containing valuable technical information and an antismoking campaign tool kit in English, Spanish and French.

“By joining the Global Smokefree Partnership, the World Heart Federation’s members get access to materials to help them be more effective advocates for smokefree policies,” Ms Voûte said.

First smokefree status report to be released

On World No Tobacco Day, the Global Smokefree Partnership will release its first-ever global status report on antismoking laws.

“The report will highlight best practices, such as France’s ban on smoking in bars and restaurants, which will take effect in January 2008, and China’s decision to make the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing smoke-free,” said Global Smokefree Partnership Project Director Cassandra Welch.

Besides its promotion of World No Tobacco Day, the partnership also is preparing for the second Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which will take place 29 June to 6 July 2007 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Between now and the conference, the Global Smokefree Partnership urges individuals and institutions to join its Global Voices for a Smokefree World Campaign, which encourages parties to the convention to adopt strong guidelines for the control of secondhand tobacco smoke. Individuals and institutions can add their voices by going to the partnership’s website at www.globalsmokefreepartnership.org.

The principles of the Global Voices for a Smokefree World Campaign include recognition that:

  • Secondhand smoke is a significant health hazard.
  • There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke.
  • There is no safe alternative to 100% smoke-free public places and workplaces.
  • Ventilation, air filtration systems and designated smoking areas or rooms do not protect people from secondhand smoke.
  • All people should be protected from secondhand smoke.
  • All workers have the right to work in smoke-free workplaces.
  • Legislation without exemptions is needed to protect people from the dangers of secondhand smoke.
  • Effective enforcement, implementation and monitoring provisions are necessary components of effective legislation.

Second year to emphasize advocacy

The partnership spent its first year organising, developing informational resources and establishing a programme of technical assistance. During its second year, it expects to continue its informational and technical development efforts while placing a major emphasis on advocacy.

Besides the World Heart Federation, partners include the American Cancer Society, the Framework Convention Alliance and HealthBridge India, to name a few.

"The World Heart Federation and its members are important partners in the battle for smoke-free workplaces and public places," Ms Welch said.

 

top of the page