BMJ, doi: 10.1136/bmj.39315.616169.BE, (Published 9 September 2007)

Editorials

The future of smoke-free legislation

Will cars and homes follow bans on smoking in public spaces?

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

A tide of epidemiological,¹ clinical,² and toxicological³ research has gradually transformed the meaning of the quiet, convivial cigarette into a health hazard for others, and smokers into stigmatised, regulated exiles from public spaces.⁴ Bans on smoking in enclosed public places have moved into global overdrive in the past decade. Three studies in this week's BMJ provide evidence of the clinical and social effects of legislation to prohibit smoking in almost all enclosed public places and work places—including bars, restaurants, and cafés—in Scotland implemented in March 2006.^{5 6 7}

The hospitality and tobacco industries forecast the end of civilisation after banishing smoking from bars.⁸ The bar economy and tourism would collapse. The vibrant tradition of pub life would be sacrificed on the altar of risk aversion. Drinks left on the bar while smokers stepped outside would be spiked by rapists,⁹ and street fights would increase. Smoking would be displaced to homes where angry . . . [Full text of this article]

University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• Lois, N, Abdelkader, E, Reglitz, K, Garden, C, Ayres, J G (2008). Environmental tobacco smoke exposure and eye disease. Br. J. Ophthalmol. 92: 1304-1310 [Abstract] [Full text]  

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