Hazards of Second-Hand Smoke - VALD and CTCB Petition Parliament

Every year second-hand smoke causes over 600,000 premature deaths and many people, especially children, are still exposed to second-hand smoke in public and work places; these children are at greater risk for developing tobacco-related health problems than adults who work in smoke-free environments. Women and children are disproportionately harmed by second-hand smoke from male smokers and therefore smoke-free laws save lives and improve public health.

 The Vision for Alternative Development (VALD) and Coalition on the Tobacco Control Bill (CTCB) have appealed to Parliament to support smokers to quit smoking. "Parliament must protect its integrity against tobacco industry interferences by continuing to protect public health over tobacco profit," Mr. Issah Ali, Executive Director of VALD and the Coalition, has said in a statement.

He said there is no constitutional right to smoke and that exposing people to second-hand smoking infringed on non-smokers' right to health. He said constitutions of many countries and governments have the responsibility to protect their citizens' right to the highest standard of health, to life, and to a safe work environment and the right of a person to breathe clean air takes priority over any possible right of smokers to pollute the air.

Mr. Ali said ventilation systems and designated smoking rooms do not provide effective protection to the public and workers from the deadly effects of second-hand smoke. "Article 8 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control requires parties to adopt smoke-free laws to protect citizens from exposure to tobacco smoke in workplaces, public transport and other indoor public places. Guidelines adopted by the treaty's governing body make it clear that only 100% smoke-free laws meet the treaty requirements," he said.