Report 1998 - 2000

Summary

Tobacco-Free was founded on August 11, 1994. Tobacco-Free is an extension of ”The Norwegian Ministry of Health and Social Affairs’ Work Group on Follow-up to the Action Plan for a Tobacco-Free Norway Year 2000". This work group, established on April 11, 1989, was dissolved on December 31, 1993 in connection with the reorganization of the Advisory Board of the Norwegian Council on Tobacco and Health when several voluntary organizations were appointed as new members. The objective of Tobacco-Free is to reduce tobacco consumption in Norway. New bylaws of Tobacco-Free were adopted at the meeting on April 26, 2000.

The founding of Tobacco-Free is in conformity with WHO’s recommendation to establish a non-governmental coalition against tobacco. The following organizations are members of Tobacco-Free: The Norwegian Association of Midwives, The Norwegian Cancer Society, The Norwegian Medical Association, The Norwegian Dental Association, The Norwegian Heart and Lung Association, The Norwegian Association against Tobacco, The Norwegian Health Association, The Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association, and The Norwegian Olympic Committee and Confederation of Sport. Permanent observers are: The Norwegian Coordinating Board of Health Education, The Norwegian Board of Health, The National Institute of Health, and The Norwegian Council on Tobacco and Health.

Tobacco-Free meets 4-6 times annually. In addition, Tobacco-Free has each year arranged an open theme conference in collaboration with The Norwegian Association against Tobacco. In 1998, the topic was lawsuits against the tobacco industry with Dr. Ronald Davis as keynote speaker. In 1999, the work methods of the tobacco industry were discussed. Professor Stan Glantz was keynote speaker. Tobacco sales to minors were the topic in 2000, with Dr. Jean Forster and Department Head Paul Nordgren as main speakers. In connection with the theme conferences, press conferences were given. Moreover, in 1998, a meeting was held with the Social Committee of the Norwegian Parliament, and in 1999, a meeting with the Minister of Health. In 1998, Tobacco-Free also arranged a seminar on local anti-tobacco efforts and a press conference on youth and smoking.

In connection with the presentation of the national budget proposal, Tobacco-Free has each year conducted meetings with the Financial and Social Committees of the Norwegian Parliament. In addition, Tobacco-Free has met with individual Parliament representatives. Moreover, Tobacco-Free has raised several individual issues in letters to the Minister of Health, and in some cases also to the Minister of Finance. These include issues such as the importance of increased prices on tobacco products, in particular hand-rolled cigarettes. This topic became especially relevant following the price reduction on cigarettes in Sweden. Another important issue is the sales of cigarettes to minors. Even after the introduction of the 18-year-old limit for buying tobacco, teens as young as 13 to 15 years of age have been able to buy cigarettes without difficulties. Tobacco-Free has recommended introducing a licensing system for tobacco sales. A study conducted by the Norwegian Council on Tobacco and Health indicated that the regulations on smoke-free zones in restaurants have little to no effect. Tobacco-Free has in a letter to the Minister of Health pointed out that waiters have a very poor working environment and that in addition to representing a health risk in itself, passive smoking also aggravates the negative health effects of smoking. Tobacco-Free finds that smoking ought to be banned where foods and drinks are served. This entails that the special exception for restaurants in Section 6 of the Norwegian Act on Protection against Tobacco must be revoked.

Several issues addressed by Tobacco-Free have received media coverage. Moreover, debate contributions from Tobacco-Free have been published, and members of the Work Committee have published scientific papers in the Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association. Tobacco-Free has received operation funding from the Norwegian Coordinating Board of Health Education.

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Org. no. 983 898 602