Society
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Outdoor gas heater - smoker’s new best friend.
Smoking Ban
Protection or Discrimination?
08.02.2008
Ever since it came into force, the smoking ban has drawn constant comment not just from the experts and members of the Slovenian parliament, but also from the people directly affected by its implementation. January's national 'day without a cigarette' offered a new opportunity to discuss the arguments of smokers and non-smokers and, more importantly, the identifiable impact the anti-smoking legislation has had so far.
According to statistics, the risk of a non-smoking adult developing a cardiovascular disease increases by 25% if they are regularly exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke, the number of tobacco-related deaths is expected to double by 2030 and those leading and supporting anti-smoking campaigns all over the globe are not just heard from once a year. With the full implementation of its new smoking legislation, Slovenia joined many other European countries, such as Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Finland and Malta, in prohibiting smoking in public places. The other important anti-smoking measure adopted by the National Assembly at the beginning of the August last year was to increase the minimum age for buying cigarettes from 15 to 18 years of age. The strict controls were introduced to protect workers from exposure to second-hand smoke in the workplace and to restrict under-aged residents from gaining access to cigarettes. However, Slovenia is not the only European country to introduce bans recently. Germany and France have both taken steps to curb the damage being done to passive smokers. Obviously, not the easiest of times for those addicted to the vicious nicotine habit; but they are not the only ones who are feeling the pinch. On the last Tuesday in January, a group of parliamentarians headed by Zmago Jelinčič, the leader of Slovenian National Party (SNS), submitted a proposal to amend the current legislation to allow owners of bars with an area of less than 100 m2, the power to decide whether to allow smoking in their premises. The motion was defeated 56 to 10.
Indications of success
More than three-quarters of adult residents in Slovenia are non-smokers. Before the smoking ban came into effect, almost two-thirds of this vast majority were being exposed to varying degrees of second-hand smoke every day. That’s nearly half a million people and the legislation protects more than just these non-smokers according to experts. “Research has shown that the ban is helping reduce the number of smokers, both young and old, and helping others reduce their daily intake,” said Mrs Helena Koprivnikar from the Institute of Public Health. The main thrust of their work is the development of preventative programmes to reduce juvenile tobacco abuse and programmes to support those who give up smoking, as well as cooperating with the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia. While the health benefits are immediate, they may not be apparent for quite some time to come. Mrs Koprivnikar explained: “Since the law was enacted, the number of people being exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke has been drastically reduced and the air quality has improved.” However, the statistical evidence that this has improved the health and longevity of the population will take decades to accumulate.
The winners
The cold of winter is not an easy time for caterers and restaurant owners and now it certainly isn’t for passionate smokers, especially those keen on combining their tobacco delight with a beverage or two with friends in a bar. Much to the delight of campaigners, many of these previously die-hard smokers have decided to quit. According to Mrs Dominika Novak Mlakar, from CINDI Slovenia (Countrywide Integrated Non-communicable Diseases Intervention Programme), an international programme under the auspices of the World Health Organisation, many of these people have decided to take advantage of the spectrum of free assistance programmes and take back control and responsibility for their health, others are giving it away because it has become too expensive following the most recent tax hikes. Since November 2007, they have noticed a significant jump in the number of calls they receive daily through their free 080 27 77 telephone advice and support service, which is aimed at people who have or who are considering quitting smoking. “The media have also played an important role in the growing interest, for instance through the advertising of the HELP! programme,” said Mrs Novak Mlakar. HELP! is an initiative of the European Commission and has been introduced in all EU member states. Its intention is to motivate youth to avoid smoking and to help those who are trying to give up. Mr Borut Sočan from HELP! Slovenia explained: “They have been offering a special personalized programme on their web page since May 2007. Since then, there has been a steady increase in the number of subscribers.”
Collateral damage
The debate surrounding the anti-smoking law goes far deeper than just the prevention of nicotine abuse and health problems. For catering staff, who are among the most exposed passive smokers, money has become the central theme in the discussion. They are at the mercy of other people’s respect for the law. “This law is being increasingly flouted by all sorts of means. Therefore, it is not meeting its basic objectives of protecting health and reducing tobacco usage. It is only being respected in the urban centres and merely because of the fear of being caught by the inspectorate,” said Mrs Esmeralda Canjuga Vidmar, the president of the Association of Caterers. Their second survey since October 2007, which was concluded in the last week of January, indicated that 75% of respondents had noticed their businesses were being negatively impacted and 16% said that they had lost more than half of their trade. Those businesses most at risk, were from areas that would already be described as socially deprived. “The evidence gathered by the Association shows that approximately 30 businesses in Štajerska, Dolenjska, Koroška, Gorenjska and Prekmurje have already been lost; while the number that have already dismissed their staff is almost impossible to calculate. The fact that suppliers have noted a rise in businesses that are not paying or are having trouble paying their bills speaks for itself,” warned Mrs Canjuga Vidmar. She added: “Those who have the resources solve the problem by providing heaters; those without, by subtle violations. This causes illegal competition. We will keep pushing for minor adjustments, which would be in keeping with the basic principles of the law but allow our members to keep their businesses afloat.”
The enemy within
The famous Slovenian writer, Svetlana Makarovič, is a prime example of how a dissatisfied, passionate smoker can protest. While launching the second edition of her satirical essay provocatively entitled “Prekleti kadilci” (Damn Smokers) in December, she said, with lit cigarette in hand: “All this is not just a question of smoking, it is an artificial creation of an inner enemy. Maybe the next targets will be those who support abortion.” Never one to mince her words, she added: “I feel obliged to smoke in future, since it has become a question of character.” Andrej Rozman Roza, an actor who joined Makarovič at the launch, attacked the part of the legislation concerning smoking in the theatre and in films. “What is even more horrible than the prohibition of smoking is the fact that the artists have chosen to complain instead of just simply carrying on smoking,” he added. Obviously, this is not likely to be an isolated incidence of rebellion, so there are probably a few more chapters in the tobacco story left to be told.