Stavanger municipality can probably expect to see a 10 per cent decline in the number of smokers, if town counsellor’s proposal is implemented by the end of next year.

”The great majority will abide by the ruling. A minority will be even more bound to their smoking habit in order to win back their freedom to smoke,” says research leader, Karl Erik Lund from Sirus (The State Institute for Drug Research)

Lund is one of the world’s leading tobacco experts.

Together with 14 tobacco researchers from all over the world, he has documented the effect of stricter smoking regulations, as an assignment from the World Health Organization (WHO). The final report will be presented next year at a world conference in India. However, the research group has chosen to publicize some of the finds.

Effect

”What is most notable is that legislation that has been introduced in order to protect passive smokers, has been so effective in reducing the number of smokers, and smoking intensity among those who still smoke,” says Lund.

The research group consider themselves to have “sufficient proof” that strict legislation:

* provides effective protection against passive smoking

* reduces smoking intensity among smokers

* reduces symptoms of breathing problems!

* has little or not significance on the restaurant branch.

In addition, there are “strong indications” that:

* smoke-free workplaces cause more people to quit.

* reduces recruitment of young people to smoking

* reduces the number of hospitalizations due to acute cardiovascular disorders.

New

This is the first time a systematic and thorough examination has been conducted, of available research literature on the effects of measures on passive smoking. The report will be presented in March next year.

Karl Erik Lund thinks Stavanger has little to lose by banning all smoking outside, and within working hours.

”The net effect will be positive. The odds are very great that this will result in reduced smoking and better health. There are also those who try to calculate the business/economical side of this – reduced sick-leave, reduced cleaning and so on,” says Lund.

Positive

The director of the Ministry of Health’s tobacco department, Hege Wang, thinks the initiative from Stavanger municipality is very positive.

”This is taking the health of the employees seriously,” says Wang, who views Stavanger’s work as pioneering.