Clean Smoke

The United Nations and the Global Smoking Ban

December 4 2010

Smoking something that had such a prestige a few decades ago has been on the steady decline. There have been lawsuits against tobacco companies and bans on smoking in public buildings. Most recently the United Nations has voiced its support in favour of a global smoking ban. This would obviously not impact smoking in the home but would mean that people could not smoke in public buildings all across the world. There have been mixed reactions to this with some people rejoicing at being free from second-hand smoke and others screaming that the institutions and not the government should have control over whether or not smoking is allowed in their buildings. The endorsement from the United Nations gives the proposed ban a lot of power and suggests that it will come to pass.

However the United Nations has not limited themselves to only investigating the possibility of banning smoking as they have done in their headquarters. The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) which was set up in 2003 has also looked at different ways to curb the effects of smoking. Some of these include different plans to help people stop smoking as it is very addictive and this is known to be quite a hard thing to do. They clearly want to lessen the impact of smoking on the global society phasing it out as much as possible. They have endorsed the ban of smoking and have backed this up by banning it in their headquarters. The movement only seems to be gathering force. However they are looking into other option which means that they really do have the best interests of the people in mind both smokers and non-smokers alike.

The World Health Organization is the body through which the United Nations investigates smoking. They look at the evidence and try to figure out the best legislation that will help the most people. They are quite powerful as a ban coming from them would impact people in all of the countries that are in the UN.

As far as the e cigarette also known as electronic cigarette is concerned this is something that the United Nations has not yet endorsed. They are clearly interested in it as it could be a way to promote their agenda of stopping smoking. However they want there to be more evidence that it does not have other negative impacts on health before they will get behind it. Some manufactures began spreading the rumours that the World Health Organization was already in support of the device using the logo in places on the packaging to make consumers believe that it was safe. While it may in fact be safe the United Nations has not taken a stand confirming anything.

United kingdom

Smoking is now banned in all public indoor spaces in the UK.

When the smoking ban came into effect in England on 1 July 2007 the whole of the United Kingdom became a smoke-free zone. Within the first year the Department of Health says 400000 people quit smoking.  But what are the rules and where can you go for that crafty fag?

Where is smoking banned?

Smoking in all indoor public places is banned. Many places - such as cinemas and public transport - have rarely permitted smoking in recent years and now places like pubs restaurants nightclubs and private members` clubs will not be able to permit customers to smoke inside.

You also can`t smoke in offices or any workplace; except if you work by yourself. You can`t smoke in a company vehicle that is used by several people; even if they are not in it at the time.

Smoking is still be banned at certain outdoor locations that are `substantially enclosed` such as football grounds and covered walkways. It is also banned on all parts of a railway station even open-air platforms.

Where can I smoke?

You`re still allowed to light up outdoors in the home or places considered to be `homes` such as prisons care homes and hotels.