1. EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU 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

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

3. EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU 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 and restaurants?

4. EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU 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

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

6. EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU 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% in 2003!

7. EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU 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

8. EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU 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

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

10. EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU 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

11. EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU 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)

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

13. EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU 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

14. EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU 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

15. EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU 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!

16. EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU The law proposal 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

17. EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU Public debate, intergovernmental and political parties negotiations PRO: no smoking cabins, ban in cars, ban in open public places where children are, ban in front 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

18. EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU 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

19. EPHA Conference 2007 Health in the Enlarged EU 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!

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