Publications from the Department of Health
This report, published in 1998 by the Government’s independent Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health (SCOTH), included a comprehensive chapter which offered information based on the review of scientific and medical research on the following:
- That lung cancer and childhood respiratory disease can be caused by second hand smoke exposure
- That SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), heart disease, asthma attacked and middle ear disease may all be caused by second hand smoke exposureIt was on the basis of these reported finding that SCOTH recommended to the government that smoke free places of work and restrictions on smoking in public enclosed places and transport were necessary to protect health.More on the report may be found here.
Second Hand Smoke: review of Evidence Since 1998 (2004) – The 2nd SCOTH Report
SCOTH reviewed in 2004 all of the relevant information and statistical, medical and scientific studies that had come to light since the original SCOTH report in 1998 in order to update finding and confirm the earlier findings. These findings particularly related to SCOTH recommendations regarding smoke free workplaces, public travel and public places to cut the risks from second hand smoke exposure.Read more on the 2nd SCOTH report here.
Smoking Kills – A Government White Paper on Smoking (Pub. 1998)
The government’s plans with regards to supporting smokers to quit the habit in order to benefit their health and the health of those around them at risk of secondhand smoke are contained within this report. Measures detailed within the paper include plans for Government taxes on smoking products, strategies for introducing new cessation devices to help smokers quit and advice and support for pregnant smokers and well as looking to cut the number of young people smoking.
The paper also focusses on the benefits that banning tobacco advertising across any media from TV to in store might bring. Additional proposals look at changing the public’s attitude towards tobacco smoking, working in partnership to eliminate smoking in public places and more.
How these strategies and plans will be monitored and ultimately achieved is also set out in this white paper.
Read more here.
Choosing Health – The Governmental White Paper on Public Health Issues (2004)
This paper includes a firm commitment from the government towards a significant move towards smoke free public places. Additionally the paper looks at supporting the public to make better informed choices regarding their health and wellbeing.Read the Choose Health paper here.
Reports on Second Hand Smoke (International)
WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans (Vol. 8)
This document contains the IARC’s summary regarding their conclusions that second hand smoke does pose significant risk and is carcinogenic to humans.
Additional information may be found here.
World Health Organisation (WHO) Document
Within this documentlies comprehensive guidelines and support structures aimed primarily at the Member States (WHO European Region). This support revolves around working to limit or eliminate the exposure individuals in the workplaces are party to with regards second hand smoke.
This is the third WHO policy publication on the subject of second hand smoke and may be read here.
US Surgeon General’s Report on Second Hand Smoke: Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco (2006)
In 2006 the Surgeon General, Richard H. Carmona published a report concluding that no exposure to second hand smoke was risk-free. This comprehensive report with scientific data backing up Carmona’s finding confirmed that second hand smoke may cause immediate harm and the only viable way to protect non-smokers is to eliminate indoor smoking.
Read more here.
Legislating for Smoke Free Workplaces
This publication from the World Health Organisation (WHO) offers guidelines to the Member States who fall under the WHO European Region with regards to strategies for building and maintaining a smoke free workplace.
Read the publication here.
Smoke Free Workplaces at a Glance
This document clearly indicates that the World Bank believes in smoke free workplaces and why. The document details a number of economic and health related reasoning.
Read more here.
The Health Effects of Environmental Tobacco Smoke in the Workplace
The Health and Safety Authority working with the Office of Tobacco Control in the ROI jointly published in January 2003 this report. The motivation behind this was to research and identify what the general beliefs amongst the global scientific authorities were with regards to agreeing on the level of hazard second hand smoking in the workplace has on environmental and health related issues.
Read more on this here.
Smoke Free Legislation (International Reports)
Smoke Free Workplaces in Ireland: A One Year Review
In March 2004 all workplaces considered enclosed became smoke free under legislation that came under the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts in both 2002 and 2004. After the initial work place ban a number of shops, bars, cafes and various other enclosed public areas and workplaces have become smoke free.
Read the one year report here.
Smoke Free New York City (2004)
On March 30th 2003 the Smoke Free Act was introduced. Many were left with questions regarding how this would affect their own freedom to smoke in and around pubs, bars, shops etc in New York and this document answers these questions.
Read the document here
New Zealand’s Anniversary Report on: The Smoke is Clearing (2005)
Nine months after New Zealand’s smoke free law was introduced (the Smoke Free Environments Amendment Act 2003) this report was written to reflect on the progress the legislation was responsible for and what the overall impact on health was.
Read more on this here.
Norway’s Ban on Smoking in Bars and Restaurants: A Review of the First Year (2005)
As the title of this report suggests this document assesses the impact of the first twelve months in Norway after smoke free legislation was introduced.
Read the report here.
California: Smoke Free Workplace Case Study
This report is a case study which describes the level of public demand for a smoke free working environment. Data from the California Tobacco Control Programme as well as information from a number of Californian health departments assess and prepare for a state-wide smoking ban inside clubs, bars and similar establishments.
Read the report here now.
Economic, Medical and Scientific Documents and Reports on Second Hand Smoke
Going Smoke Free: Royal College of Physicians – London
This report details the effects of passive smoking, otherwise known as second hand smoke on individuals. Expert in the field have used extensive research and a significant amount of data to compile this document which also assesses the policy options with regards to second hand smoking, particularly in work places and enclosed public places.
Read more about this here.
An Estimate of Deaths Caused By Second Hand Smoke in the UK
This article, written by Konrad Jamrozik and published in the British Medical Journal is a piece attempting to work out the numbers of young adults who have died due to exposure to passive smoking (second hand smoke).
More here.
The Tobacco Advisory group; Passive Smoking
The number of (entirely preventable) deaths attributed to second hand smoke exposure in the UK exceeds twelve thousand every year. Using extensive research and current studies experts have put together this report to clearly show the impact of passive smoking for those in the UK while applauding the positive outcomes on policy and health that Smoke Free legislation and workplace and public smoking bans have contributed to.
*Rewritten however the document itself can’t be found / opened therefore you may need to source it elsewhere if you want it to be included.
WHO’sWaterpipe Tobacco Smoke: Health Effects, Research Needs and Recommended Actions by Regulators
This document is a scientific piece regarding the concerns towards health involving tobacco smoking via waterpipes as perceived by the World Health Organisation.
Read more here.
Additional References
National Statistics (2006) on Smoking in England
This bulletin offers numerous pieces of smoking related information including, yet not limited to: Smoking-related behaviour, smoking and drinking (in young people), associated drug usage, attitudes towards smoking and the results from a general household survey.
Read more about this here.
National Statistics Report on Smoking Related Behaviour and Attitudes
This 2007 report includes and shares information pertaining to a 2006 survey on attitudes to smoking and smoking behaviours. The survey itself was specifically designed to glean information and the public’s perspective for the government on giving up smoking restrictions on smoking and passive / second hand smoke.
Visit here to find more information.