W S Smoke Free Places Bratislava, 17 April 2007 A law in the making in Slovenia

1. WS Smoke Free Places Bratislava, 17 April 2007 A law in the making in Slovenia Vesna-Kerstin Petrič Ministry of Health of Republic of Slovenia EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU

2. the context • the process • the law • take home messages EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU

3. 2003 – FCTC, IRELAND Is a 2 million population on the sunny side of the Alps ready to ban smoking in all working places including bars andrestaurants? EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU

4. Preconditions • existing restrictions, cessation programs and awareness campaigns • less than 30% of smokers • strong civil society movement/national tobacco control coalition • supportive health professionals • international cooperation • champions/enablers • politic feasibility • economic feasibility • public opinion in favor EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU

5. The context • Restriction of the use of tobacco products act from 1996Complete smoking ban in public places (health institutions, schools, milk bars and ice-cream shops, governmental premises intended for clients) Smoking restriction (workplace, restaurants) EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU

6. The context • Free smoking cessation programs in Primary Health Care Centers • WHO no tobacco day, Quit and Winn and Smoke out campaigns From 28.2% in 1994 to 23.7% in2003! EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU

7. The context • no coalition or strong civil society movement • weak health professionals advocacy • limited international cooperation • public health aware minister • Government one year before the elections and just passing law on restricting alcohol consumption • Tobačna Ljubljana – pride of SVN business • no public opinion pools on smoking in public places EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU

8. Preconditions • existing restrictions, cessation programs and awareness campaigns • less than 30% of smokers • strong civil society movement/national tobacco control coalition • supportive health professionals • champions/enablers • politic feasibility • economic feasibility • public opinion in favor EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU

9. The process I phase - by May 2006 • Building capacity • Rising awareness • Monitoring public opinion EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU

10. Building capacity • responsible department/person, action group at MoH • Partnership for Action plan development (PHI, CINDI Slovenia, MF, Medical Chamber, Hospitals, student organizations) • financial incentives for coalition building • evidence gethering • international networking EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU

11. Rising awareness • pro-active approach to media and decision makers (press conferences, information leaflets) • expert meetings (national, international) • action research in target populations – doctors, nurses, pharmacists, hospitals • campaigning (31.January - No Smoking Day, 31. May - No Tobacco Day, November – preventing addiction month, Student campaigns – O2 for you) EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU

12. Monitoring public opinion • Public opinion pool in 2005 • Countinuous monitoring of media coverage EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU

13. Changed contex • tobacco control coalition established in 2004, becoming partner of ENSP in 2006 • Medical chamber, Chamber of pharmacists and 2 hospitals actively involved in tobacco control • new minister, new government, approaching local elections • tobacco production cased • public opinion in favor EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU

14. Preconditions • existing restrictions, cessation programs and awareness campaigns • less than 30% of smokers • strong civil society movement/national tobacco control coalition • supportive health professionals • champions/enablers • politic feasibility • economic feasibility • public opinion in favor EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU

15. The process Phase II – from May 2006 to January 2007 • political pressure (letters, visiting minister and political parties, interviews) • getting new allies on board • lobbying at local levels • new initiatives • international pressure Getting the message across! EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU

16. The lawproposal launched on 3January 2007 • Total ban in all closed working and public places including transport • Smoking cabins (10%) allowed exclusively for smoking – not in health and educational premises • Exceptions in mental hospitals, hotel rooms, prison cells • Age limit 18 EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU

17. Public debate, intergovernmental and political parties negotiations PRO: no smoking cabins, ban in cars, ban in open public places where children are, ban infront of schools, cessation contacts on tobacco products, earmarked taxes, shops licensing, police controlling… CONTRA: 100m2 limit for ban, food and drinks allowed in cabins, casinos exception, cabins 30%, delay in enforcement EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU

18. The process Phase III – from January 2007 • media and public information strategy at MoH(visit of commissioner planed) • meetings with interested parties (hospitality sector, casino representatives, experts, NGOs) • political pressure/campaigns in support to law proposal • Additional argumentation in support of proposal EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU

19. Take home messages • asses the situation • plan and build capacity where lacking • develop partnerships (media!) • use opportunities and adapt to new circumstances • monitor public opinion Keep going! EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU

20. The end EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU