Smoking Bans Go Worldwide

Smoking restrictions are not limited to Santa Monica and other U.S. cities. Countries across the globe are making great strides to curb the habit.

By Melissa Pazornik
The Southern California Post

To reduce smoking among its citizens, India stopped tobacco advertisements and banned the selling of cigarettes to children. Photo: BBC News
Starting early 2007, it will be illegal in Hong Kong to smoke in workplaces, restaurants, and other public places. Photo: China.org

Numerous studies conducted everywhere from highly industrialized contries to third world nations, provide strong evidence that efforts to reduce tobacco use and its consequences are effective. Such actions include increasing tobacco tax, restricting smoking in public places and workplaces, spreading awareness about smoke-related health risks, and enacting comprehensive bans on advertising and promotion. Here are what some countries are doing to fight the war against smoking.

-In March, 2004, Ireland became the first country to institute a total ban on smoking in all workplaces, including more than 10,000 pubs.

- Egypt banned cigarette ads on state-run TV in April, 2001. At the time, It was already illegal to smoke in government buildings and airports.

- As of July, 1996, it has been illegal to smoke cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, or pipes in collective areas in Brazil, including libraries, movie theatres, public offices, health clinics, and classrooms.

- In February, 2005 Cuba banned smoking in all public places, except for designated smoking areas in restaurants. The government also banned sales of cigarettes to children under 16 and at stores within 100 metres of a school.

- Since 1996, smoking in Turkey has not been legal in any educational or health-related facility. Smoking is also prohibited in all types of public transportation vehicles, indoor areas used for sports and cultural activities, waiting rooms, and in places where at least five people are working.

Although anti-smoking legislation has been introduced in over 60 countries, the World Health Organization says more needs to be done. Currently, the Organization is developing the world's first multilateral treaty, specifically targeting smoking. The treaty may call on governments to provide guidelines against tobacco advertising, impose taxes on tobacco, and lay down ground rules against the lucrative trade in cigarette smuggling.