Tobacco Documents Online

i CWNTRY rI&1S IN BRIg' Argentina: The Argentinian anti-smoking organisation "Chau Pucho" (Goodbye Cig!) has written a letter to the President urging him to take steps to ban cigarette advertising. Although the Health Ministry is very active in campaigning to decrease smoking, the media are increasingly taking cigarette ads. Chau Pucho presses the President to stop this practice. (For more information: Chau Pucho, M.T. de Alvear 2202, 1122 Buenos Aires) Australia: The Non Smokers' Movement of Australia recently started a campaign against smoking at railway stations and in subways. Evidence was given by the Australian Consumers' Association and the Non Smokers' Movement to the Trade Practices Commission on the violation of the advertising code. The Non Smokers' Movement gave examples of violations by t' tobacco industry. (Fbr more information: Non Smokers' Movement of Australia, 57 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney 2000). Pangl.adesh: Concerned about the lack of any kind of advertising controls or health warnings, the Consumers' Association of Bangladesh has been canvassing support f or a campaign to make Government undertake action. CAB has organised a workshop to bring interested groups together. (For more inf ormation: CAB, 320/2A West Dhanmandi Road no. 8A, Daulmandi R1a, Dhaka). China.: The Chinese people are urged to give up smoking by the Patriotic Health Campaign Committee. A survey pointed out that 400 million Chinese smoke, mostly men. The Chinese Government receives 8% of its revenue coming f rom the sales of tobacco. (Inf ormation f rom: The Economist, 1 February, 1986). t Czechoslovakia: Smoking control activities are attracting broader attention. During the first week of 1986, a popular TV programme which is watched by about 40% of the adult population covered the smoking issue. A month later a press conference was organised around the health consequences of smoking. Snoking is already forbidden in public places like cinemas, buses, trains or domesti_c f lights, hospitals and schools. Czechoslovaks smoking a package or more a day wil e registered ih lung disease clinics and get regular check-ups in a drive to reduce lung.cancer. A new provision in the Iabour Code will also give workers the right to a workplace where smoking is banned. (For more information: Dr. J.T. Kozak, Chest Clinic, District Institute of National Health 284 30 Kutna Hora, Prague). Fgygt: An overall health programme including smoking as a main target is being prepared by the F&yptian Government. The younger age groups will get special attention. (Ibr more inf ormation: Dr. Sharif Omar, Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo). Germarq, Federal Republic: Passive smoking has been off icially listed as a danger to the authorities. (From: Tobacco Alert, December 1985, WHO). workers' health by tU Cn 0 ~ ~ 0 -0 ~ w ~

Gt11f Statea: Health Ministers joined to require tobacco companies to print health warnings in both Arabic and Ehglish on cigarette packs and to list the tar and nicotine content of each brand. (Fbr more information: Dr. Hussai A. Amumen, Kuwait Smoking Control and Anti- Cancer Society, P.O. Box 26733, Safat). = Hong Kong: Tobacco Institute has published "Freedom of Choice is Everyone's Business" in response to Broadcasting Review Board's proposal ban on tobacco TV and radio ads. (For more information: Dr. Judith Mackay, Riftswood, 9th Milestone, Int 147, Clearwater Bay road, Kowloon). , India: Students at Bombay college helped to organise a workshop on anti-smoking with the Consumer Guidance Society of India. CGSI is also planning to train consumer activists to campaign against the advertising practices of the tobacco industry. (For more information: CGSI, Hutment ' J' Mehapalika Marg., Opp. Cama. Hospital, Bombay 400 001). Ireland: Government has banned sale of one brand of smokeless tobacco. (For more information: Health Education Bureau, 34 Upper Mount Street, Dublin 2). Japan: As part of its eff orts to fight smoking, consumer and citizen's groups-have launched various anti-smoking campaigns in major cities in Japan during the annual Non-Smoking Week f rom 1-7 April. "Your body is sick and tired of smoking" says the poster which was launched to mark the beginning of the week. About 64% of the Japanese population are regular cigarette smokers. (For more information: Mr. Bungaki Watanabe, 1-7 Hirahawa-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo). Ma.1.asysia: Asia-Pacific People's Environment Network issued an alert with suggestions f or action against the annual promotion campaign f or Camel cigarettes. The Camel Trophy will this year be going through Northern Australia. (For more information: CAP, 87 Cantonment Road, 10250 Pulau Penang). New Zeal.and: Consumers' Institute urges an increase in tobacco prices. The Institute wants to see the tax increase diverted to the campaign against smoking and in particular to be used to educate young people not to take up the habit. (For more information: Consumers' Institute, Private Bag, Te Aro, Wellington 1). Northern Ireland: Action on Smoking and Health, a part of the Ulster Cancer Foundation announced sponsorship f or the Irish Football Association's 1986 World Cup Finals Campaign. Participating teams will be expected to be made up of 'non smoking' players and to have themselves declared as a 'Non Smoking Team'. (Fbr more information: Mr. Wood, Ulster Cancer Foundation, 40/42 Eglantine Avenue, Belfast BT9 6DX). Philippines: Dr. Judith Mackay of the Hong Kong Cancer Society addressed the Annual Chest Convention of 500 chest specialists on the topic of tobacco. (For more information: see under Hong Kong).

Portugal: - State-owned tobacco marketers have asked Government to ease near-total tobacco advertising ban to allow ads in magazines and on TV. Decision expected in 1986. (From IAA Intelligence Sunynary, no. 49). Spain: Government is drafting legislation to ban liquor and tobacco marketers f rom sponsoring sports events. (Fbr more information: Carlos F. Nunes, ACPAS, Antonio Me.ckado 19, 4th Floor B, Madrid 28035)- Sweden: Sweden's main domestic airline Linjeflyg announced that it would become the world's f irst airline to ban all smoking on its flights. Opinion polls showed that even most smokers favoured the move! (For more information: VISIR, Tunnel Gatan 25, 111-22 Stockholm). Thailand: The National Council of Women of Thailand together with Consumer Groups of Bangkok organised a two-hour forum on the theme 'Risks of cigarettes and eff ective ways to quit smoking'. (Ibr more information: National Council of Women of Thailand, Mananghasila Mansion, Bangkok 10300). United Kingdom: Wednesday 12 March UK smokers were encouraged to give up smoking f or at least one day. National No-Smoking Day marked the launch of many local campaigns and anti-smoking activities. About 3 million people participated in the effort to quit smoking. British Medical Association and the Action on Alcohol Abuse have published a report attacking the Government's gross imbalance on expenditure f or drug abuse compared with their eff orts to combat smoking and alcohol abuse. Government increased the tax on cigarettes and renewed the voluntary code with the industry. The new code limits smoking in public places even f urther. (For more information: ASH, 5-11 Mortimer Street, London W1N). United States: Tobacco companies face increasing lawsuits over smoking-related illnesses. The Congress is considering two bills to disallow deduction of tobacco advertising and promotion costs as business expenses. Congress approved rotating health 4arning labels f or smokeless tobacco packages and has banned TV and radio ads. 'Californians f or Non Smokers' Rights' have changed their name per 1 January 1986 officially to 'Americans f or Non Smokers' Rights'. They have brought out a set of charts summarizing the provisions of the significant city and country smoking ordinances in California. The compilation lists 72 cities and countries with significant non-smoker protection laws, 59 with regulate smoking private workplaces and 61 which require non-smoking sections in restaurants. (Fbr more inf ormation: Americans f or Non Smokers Rights, 2054 University ave, Suite 500, Berkeley CA 94704)