Healthy cities are smoke-free cities

Date:2016-11-20 9:29:17 Clicks:1202 【Font Size:Big Normal Small】

While national comprehensive smoke-free laws are ideal to protect a country’s residents from exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke, city leaders, no matter how large or small the populations they govern, have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to protect their citizens from the illness, premature death and multiple other social and economic harms that result from tobacco smoke.¹

Dedicated action at the city level to protect populations from exposure to tobacco smoke can also be a catalyst for the entire country to become smoke-free, with city leaders recognized widely for their advocacy and pioneership.

Protection from exposure to tobacco smoke is called for under Article 8 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), the strengthened implementation of which features as target 3.a of the SDGs.

Reducing people’s exposure to second-hand smoke is a cost-effective way to support a range of targets under SDG 3 on health, from NCDs to TB to maternal and child health. It can also advance other objectives across Agenda 2030, for example promoting safe and secure working environments for all workers (SDG 8) and providing universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible green and public spaces (SDG 11).

Almost certainly, every mayor who has embarked on making his or her city smoke-free has had doubts. How realistic is to make all indoor workplaces, public places and public transport free of tobacco smoke? Would such a measure hurt hospitality and tourism in the city? Would workers lose jobs? Would people’s rights be affected? Dire predictions often launched by the tobacco industry and its supporters magnify such doubts.

Yet, hundreds of cities worldwide – including large cities such as Beijing, Mexico City, New York and São Paulo – have successfully become smoke-free. Their experience is revealing. Political leadership proved to be the buttress against all challenges.

Smoke-free New York – the city’s endeavor to become a healthy city with clean air

When on March 30, 2003 Michael Bloomberg, New York’s mayor at the time, enacted the Smoke-Free Air Act, controversies began about how the law would kill businesses, lead to job losses and decrease tax revenue.

The mayor took leadership and, jointly with New York City’s Coalition for a Smoke-Free City, showed the benefits and knocked down the critics. The campaign focused on launching clear messages about the need to equally protect the health of all workers at their workplaces; and proved evidence of public support.

One year later, New York City’s Departments of Health and Mental Hygiene, Finance and Small Business Services and the City’s Economic Development Corporation released a first impact report² revealing an overwhelming compliance, with 97 percent of restaurants and bars being smoke-free – no patrons or workers were observed smoking, no ashtrays were present, and “No Smoking” signs were properly posted.

Great support of New Yorkers was evidenced by various polls (e.g. Quinnipiac Poll, October 2003 with 2 to 1 support). Employment in restaurants and bars has risen, business receipts were up 8.7 percent, with all indications that New York City businesses prospered. The city became a safer and healthier place for all of its workers, businesses, tourists and inhabitants – for in one word, everyone.

Tel: (8610)64983905 Fax: (8610)64983805 Email: apact2015@catcprc.org.cn