Public Health Advocacy

1. Public Health Advocacy F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

2. Causes of ill-health: the risk factor reduction! • Smoking - education, cessation supports, etc • Alcohol - education, sensible/safe limits, etc • Exercise - education, advise, etc • Nutrition – education, Diet, the pyramid, etc • RTA’s - education, driving schools, speed limits • Etc etc etc etc F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

3. Market justice orientation(1) • Rugged individualism • Self - determination • Strong individual control/responsibility • Limited individual obligation to the collective good • Limited government involvement in social activity F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

4. Market justice orientation (2) • People act in their own best interest • Assume risks knowingly and voluntarily • Biological predisposition to illness • Personal responsibility • Blame the victim F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

5. Blaming the victim • Problems are as a result of unusual events/circumstances • They are exceptional rather than universal • Jogger - Central Park - New York • Personal responsibility - the ENTIRE solution • Victims are “others” F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

6. Public Health Advocacy • Advocacy is a catch-all word for the set of skills used to create a shift in public opinion and mobilise the necessary resources and forces to support an issue, policy or constituency. • Advocacy is not just about lobbying • Advocacy can be part of your day job! F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

7. Public Health Advocacy • Refers to the process of overcoming major STRUCTURAL barriers as opposed to INDIVIDUAL barriers to Public Health goals. • Advocacy seeks to increase the power of people and groups and to make institutions more responsive to human needs. F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

8. Types of Barriers • Political philosophies that devalue health and quality of life at the expense of economic outcomes • Political or bureaucratic opposition or inertia to health promoting legislative provisions • Political or bureaucratic opposition to the participation of consumers in healthcare planning • Marketing of unsafe and unhealthy products F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

9. Targets of Advocacy • Policies and practices of Governments and Institutions • Government laws and regulations • Commercial marketing practices of industries • Activities of counter health lobbying groups F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

10. Being an Advocate • Advocacy is an integral part of any prevention strategy • It is issue and policy orientated • It is not primarily about changing individuals behaviour • Upstream/downstream F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

11. Key issues to consider • The use of evidence • Using data to support argument • Setting targets – short to long term • Power assessment • Tactics • Continuous evaluation • Media Advocacy F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

12. Evidence is crucial • Supported by systematic empirical evidence • Supported by cogent argument • Scale of likely health benefit • Likelihood that policy would bring benefits other than health benefits • Fit with existing or proposed government policy • Possibility that the policy might do harm • Ease of implementation • Cost of implementation F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

13. Data are important • strong and credible data base • gives a clear analysis of the issues to be addressed • be user friendly with the data • Health policies can be made in the absence of evidence, or despite evidence F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

14. “Targets” Goal setting is critical • sense of direction, unifying theme, end point • long range - short term • what steps are needed to achieve each goal • helps long term thinking and focuses on the real issues F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

15. Advocacy can be threatening • “If there is no struggle there is no progress. Power concedes nothing without a demand.” • challenges staid notions, vested interests • upstream forces might not like it Advocacy requires assessment • what about your own organisational health • can I win, can we afford to lose • assess assets and liabilities and plan strategies building broad, cohesive coalitions • - resources, strengths and weaknesses. F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

16. Irish Indep 29 Oct, ’03 Professor Ivan Perry, UCC F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

17. The media connection • In our “mass-mediated” democracy public health battles are fought not only in the clinics and the courts, but also on the 10pm news, the front pages, financial section and even on 24 hour all talk radio • The mass media constitute an important part of the environment in which the selection, presentation, definition and discussion of public issues occur F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

18. Media advocacy • Seeks to influence the selection of topics by the mass media and shape the debate about these topics • Ensures that the story is told from a public health perspective • If you don’t exist in the media, for all practical purposes you don’t exist F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

19. Understanding media advocacy • More an art than a science • Improves with practice • understand the needs of journalists • set media objectives that relate to your goals • be on the alert for stories that help your issue • Never do anything that would compromise your credibility F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

20. Case study Smoke-free Irish Workplaces, Including Bars. F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

21. Key issues • Smoke-free workplaces introduced 29th March 2004 • Campaign did not start on the 28th March 2004 • Capacity building for years • Part of a comprehensive tobacco control package – • price, advertising, sales to children, tar and nicotine levels etc F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

22. The 70s • Active smoking harmful • Smokers’ rights universal • Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), passive smoking, involuntary smoking – what is that? F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

23. For the moment most, but not all, the pressure to have the right to breathe smoke-free air must be based on aesthetic considerations rather than on known serious risks to health. Editorial, BMJ, 1976. Environmental tobacco smoke- is it bad for you? Excuse me, Do you mind if I smoke? No, only if you don’t mind if I fart F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

24. The 80s • Increasing awareness of tobacco control issues • Advertising bans • Health warnings on packs • Sales to children • ETS – could it be bad for you? F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

25. Passive smoking – the evidence emerges • 1982 - US Surgeon General.The health consequences of smoking: cancer. • Reviewed 3 studies showing an increased risk of lung cancer in non-smoking women whose husbands smoked • Conclusion - cautious • 1986 - US Surgeon General.The health consequences of involuntary smoking. • Reviewed 13 spousal studies • Conclusion: Involuntary smoking is a cause of disease including lung cancer, in healthy non-smokers. F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

26. 1986 - US National Research Council. Environmental tobacco smoke: Measuring exposures and assessing health effects. • 1986 - IARC.IARC monographs on the evaluation of of the carcinogenic risk of chemicals to humans: tobacco smoking. • 1986 - UK DHSS.Fourth report of the independent scientific committee on smoking and health. • 1986 - Australian NHMRC.Effects of passive smoking on health. F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

27. The 90s • Increasing awareness of adverse health effects of ETS • Irrevocably changed balance of smokers’ rights versus non smokers’ rights • Irish Legislation • Restrict consumption (non smoking areas) in specified locations e.g. Public offices, schools, colleges, cinemas, theatres, taxis, health and child care facilities, “restaurants” • Voluntary codefor the workplace F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

28. Further “action” • Minister for Health Consultative Committee 1992 • Employers/unions/officials • Recommended Voluntary Code of Practice on Smoking in the Workplace • Employers to be proactive • Published “Clean Air at Work” • Circulate it • Review in 12 months F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

29. ASH Ireland • 1991-1992 – Irish Heart Foundation +Irish Cancer Society discussion re tobacco control • 1992 - ASH Ireland founded by IHF+ICS • Admin Support (Ms Valerie Coghlan) • PR Support • Advocacy for tobacco control • Media driven! • Mission - ASH Ireland, in pursuance of a tobacco free society, aims to reduce the toll of disease, disability and death caused by tobacco use. F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

30. 1994 - Review of the effectiveness of the 1992 voluntary code • Restructured Consultative Committee • Only 1,200 copies sent to employers • Poor awareness of the Code • Recommend continue voluntary code as against legislation • Further review in 2 years • Revised code of practice • Endorsed by employers/trade unions • Circulate widely F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

31. Further action • 1994 Health Strategy: Shaping a healthier future • Extend environmental controls over tobacco, especially those in the workplace • 1995 Regulations extend places where smoking banned • Child care facilities /All Health care premises • Bingo/Bridge/Snooker • Public areas in retail financial agencies, Banks etc • Public areas in hairdressing salons/barber shops • Taxis and hackneys, aircraft/ferries • 50% of seating in restaurant Workplaces still excluded! F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

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33. …..As the evidence grew …the lobbying continued • Issue focused as a health and safety issue • For all workplaces, including bars • Reach for the unreachable ? – deliberate strategy • Not a consumer protection issue • Not a smoking reduction issue • Politicians, public servants, trade unions targeted • Constant media linkage • International Research highlighted • International developments highlighted • California, Canada, Australia, Finland F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

34. F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

35. Joint Oireachtas (Parliament) Committee on Health and Children (multi- party) Heard evidence from wide range of groups: Minister’s officials European Commissioner Public servants NGOs Tobacco Industry Academics Outcome…..end of the 90s/start of the 2000Parliamentary Enquiry 1999 F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

36. Parliamentary Enquiry 1999 • Rejected tobacco industry insistence that ETS not harmful to non smokers • Recommended new national anti-smoking strategy, many far-reaching initiatives, including • Restrictions on workplace, including bars • New unit to deal solely with tobacco control issues F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

37. 2000 DOHC Report : Towards a tobacco free society • Recommended ban on smoking in workplaces, except bars • Establish Office of Tobacco Control (NB) • 2000 June • Complete ban on tobacco advertising in print media came into force • 2001 Joint Committee on Health and Children • Reaffirms recommendation on ban on smoking in all workplaces • 2001 – The Public Health (Tobacco) Bill 2001, • The provisions in the Bill allow the Minister for Health and Children to prohibit smoking in all places, including the workplace, by way of regulation. • Allows the establishment of the Office of Tobacco Control F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

38. Next steps…………build capacity • Feb 02 –OTC Conference – specifically on passive smoke • International Experts/ICTU/HSA involved • James Repace “……. Based on this study and my own studies of the effects of ETS on such workers in Hong Kong and Boston, I would estimate that approximately 150 bar workers a year in Ireland will die from ill health caused by ETS." F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

39. F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

40. Pressure from the lobbying front…………… • ASH Ireland concerned about silence from Health and Safety Authority • ASH Ireland sends a series of FOI requests to Health and Safety Authority • Evidence emerges that their Board (IBEC/ICTU reps) not very proactive on the issue • Direct approach to Minister in charge, Mr. Tom Kitt TD • He asks HSA to examine the possibility of banning smoking in workplace F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

41. How extensive should workplace restrictions be? • Health and Safety Authority (HSA) & OTC jointly commissioned independent scientists to review evidence on ETS. • Chair Dr Shane Allwright, • Terms of reference “To identify and report on the degree of consensus that exists among leading scientific authorities on the question of the hazard and risk posed by environmental tobacco smoke to human health in the workplace.” F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

42. …………….. and • June 2002 – IARC has concluded that involuntary smoking is carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). • Nov 02 – Minister suggestions • Complete ban in workplaces/restaurants • Partial ban in pubs – when food served and to have specific no-smoking areas F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

43. and as a result……………………. • Ridiculed by Vintners • Bar workers trade unions furious! • Opposition politicians go on the attack! • NGO Community lobby harder!! And then…………………….. F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

44. Allwright Report • Authors concluded • ETS cause heart disease cancer and respiratory probs • Employees need to be protected • Ventilation is ineffective • Legislative measures are required 30th January 2003 F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

45. What happened next………. • Publicans  condemned the Government's decision to announce a ban on smoking in all licensed premises from January 1st next. • Unnecessary, unworkable, unenforceable • 15 months of “fun” F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

46. Anti-ban side • Bar owners – economic impact, compromise proposals, ventilation • Employers organisation supported bar owners • Some senior Ministers tried to jump ship • Enstrom Kabatt study • Death of bar worker in New York • Tobacco industry intervention (minimal) • ++++ F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

47. Proposed Ban on Smoking in the Workplace Draft Tri-partite Position Statement (11th July 2003) (and a cast of thousands!) F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

48. If you don’t exist in the media, for all practical purposes you don’t exist Letters to the national papers National Radio Local Radio Sunday features Chat shows TV shows Etc etc Public Health Advocacy Campaign Anytime, anyplace, anywhere! F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

49. Simple messages repeated +++ • Health and Safety issue • ETS is a serious cause of ill health • All workers deserve protection • Ventilation does not work • Separate areas do not work • Smokers are reasonable • Provide assistance to help them quit if they wish to • Not a consumer protection issue • Not a smoking cessation issue • Not a tobacco control issue F Howell, TCD 2009/2010

50. OFFICE OF TOBACCO CONTROL • Montague Communications have won a PR Excellence Award for our management of the Office of Tobacco Control's campaign to build public compliance with the smoke-free workplace legislation F Howell, TCD 2009/2010