Nonsmokers' Rights Go International

Abstract

THE UNITED NATIONS' World Health Organization (WHO), as part of a campaign against tobacco, is expected early in this new year to circulate a statement of nonsmokers' rights to health officials from a number of nations, especially in Europe. Among other things, the statement emphasizes the right to be free from breathing tobacco smoke in enclosed public places and the need for continued public education on the health consequences of tobacco use. The statement was worked out at the first European Conference on Tobacco Policy, cosponsored by the Switzerland-based WHO and Spain's Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs. That multinational conference, held in Madrid in November, resulted in health officials from six European countries indicating that their governments probably will adopt the statement. The Madrid conference was held on the eve of the 12th annual Great American Smokeout, sponsored in the United States by the American Cancer Society and intended