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The catastrophic situation in public health can be tackled (26.04.2011.)
(Based on the official statement issued by the State Secretariat Responsible for Health of the Ministry of National Resources)
On 26th April the Hungarian Parliament modified the Act on the Protection of Non-smokers with an extremely high majority (84% yes votes). With this act we might succeed in tackling the catastrophic situation in Hungary’s public health – emphasized Miklós Szócska, State Secretary responsible for Health at the press conference held on the modification of the Act on the Protection of Non-smokers. Each law is as much worth as it is observed, therefore the State Secretariat Responsible for Health will use the next 8 months - until the law comes into force - to intensively disseminate information in order to prevent its violation. As cessation is to be fostered the State Secretariat will do its best to provide help for those planning to quit smoking.
The aim of the new, strict regulation is to protect non-smokers and those who need special protection either due to their age or health status against the harmful effects of second-hand smoking, and to foster exercising the constitutional rights to health and healthy environment.
The new restricted regulations are not against smokers, rather in their favour. As a result of the modification it will be forbidden to smoke indoors from 1st January 2012 in
- publicly accessible premises of public institutions,
- on all means of public transportation,
- at workplaces,
- in underpasses for pedestrians and other publicly used conjunctive spaces,
- furthermore at public playgrounds, and within a 5 meters zone around them.
It will also be prohibited to smoke in areas used by passengers at railway stations, i.e. at platforms, railway underpasses, as well as in bus, tramway and trolley-bus stops, waiting areas and within a 5 meters zone around them.
It is not allowed to designate smoking areas at
- indoor premises of public institutions and workplaces,
- at means of local public transportation,
- in coaches, local trains and passenger ones running on schedule.
Smoking areas cannot be designated even in open spaces in public educational, child care and child protection institutions, as well as at healthcare service providers, e.g. at surgeries of general practitioners, specialists, and in hospitals. A smoking area can be designated indoors only for detained persons in prisons – including those with pathological mental state – and for patients in psychiatries
At those workplaces which were not declared as non-smoking workplace by the employer, an outdoor smoking area has to be designated.
The Act on Owner-occupied Blocs has also been modified: it is prohibited to smoke in the commonly owned indoor areas of the building unless there is a direction to the contrary adopted by at least four-fifth majority of the owners shares.
The so called cigar room is a novelty to this act, which can be an already existing authorized designated smoking area at catering establishments and hotels after coming into force of the modification. However no food or beverages can be served in these rooms. Furthermore as long as guests are smoking in the cigar room employees cannot be obliged to work there. The air-change of the cigar rooms have to be solved by doors, windows or other technical devices making sure that smoke to cannot get into non-smoking areas.
The modification of the act comes into force on 1st January 2012, whereas the above regulations on existing cigar rooms 3 days after their announcement. In order to allow enough time for the implementation the new law there will be a three months grace period provided before imposing fines.
The observance of the act will be controlled by the state health administration organization and the consumer protection authority.
After coming into force there will be a three months grace period until 1st April 2012, as of which date offenders will be fined. The state health administration organization (egészségügyi államigazgatási szerv) might forbear from fining in case the manager of the institution, its operator, the organizer of the event, the employer or the person assigned for this job by the regulations of the public institution has summoned the offender to stop smoking, or if she/he does not cooperate, to leave the building.
The health protection fine, which can amount to 20-50 thousand forints, and the on-the-spot fine that can mount up to 30 thousand forints have to be paid by money transfer to the bank account of the state health administration organization. Half of the amount collected this way will be transferred monthly to the budgetary chapter of the ministry responsible for health by the state health administration organization. It can be spent on smoking prevention, cessation supporting programs, health protection objectives, and programs improving the level of health care.
One fourth of the collected amount will be spent on the improvement of the supervisory authority and the promotion of the public health authority’s work. In case the offence affects a wide range of the population legal action can be taken against the offender by the state health administration organization, the public prosecutor’s office and the civil organization providing representation of interests in health protection. This fosters the observance of the law. A law suit can also be initiated if the persons affected cannot be identified.
Experts expect the act to bring about higher health-awareness of the Hungarian population, and on a longer run health promoting effects and a decrease in the diseases related to smoking. Miklós Szócska expressed his thanks to the prime minister, the leader of the parliamentary group, and regardless of a party affiliation to MPs and the professional organizations for the quick and correct enacting of the act.
HUNGARY: WHO welcomes proposal for legislation for a smoke-free Hungary (28.02.2011.)
On Friday 25 February 2011, a group of MPs of the Hungarian Parliament, with government support submitted a motion for legislation that would make public places, restaurants, bars and workplaces in Hungary smoke-free.
Debate on this proposal starts in Parliament on 28 February 2011.
WHO Regional Office for Europe welcomes this initiative.
“This is very good news for the health of the people of Hungary. Countries across the European Region are introducing smoke-free public places and workplaces, and the evidence is that it really works”, said Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe. “Not only does it have a major impact on the amount of smoke that people are exposed to, and their health, but people have accepted it. It has met with public support and positive impacts on business.”
Smoke-free initiatives are strongly supported by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which 45 countries in the European Region have ratified so far. Governments are finding that the health gains hugely outweigh the perceived political costs of taking action, and one country after another is introducing tough legislation to combat smoking.
For more information, please contact: Dr Zsofia Pusztai
WHO Country Office, Hungary, 28 February 2011
The Latest Report of the U.S. Surgeon General (10.12.2010.)
How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease: The Biology and Behavioral Basis for Smoking-Attributable Disease Riport, 2010
“There is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke” – stressed Regina M. Benjamin in the press conference of the report. Inhaling smoke, even in low concentration, quickly leads to malfunctions and inflammation of blood-vessels, which, among others, is behind heart attack and stroke.The report puts emphasis on pathways by which smoking leads to diseases.
Exposure to tobacco smoke – even occasional smoking or secondhand smoke – causes immediate damage to your body that can lead to several illnesses or death, said the U.S. Surgeon General. The new report stresses that poisonous chemicals in smoke reach every organ in your body. As they are absorbed in the lungs, they go quickly into your blood. Then the blood flows through your arteries and carries toxins to tissues in all parts of your body. Your lungs, blood vessels, and other delicate tissues become inflamed and damaged when you smoke. According to the report, cellular damage and tissue inflammation from tobacco smoke are immediate, and that repeated exposure impairs the immune system.
The report also explains why it is so difficult to quit smoking. According to the research, cigarettes are partly designed for addiction. The design and contents of current tobacco products make them more attractive and addictive than ever before. Today’s cigarettes deliver nicotine to smokers body more quickly and efficiently than cigarettes of many years ago.
“This report makes it clear – quitting at any time gives your body a chance to heal the damage caused by smoking,” the Surgeon General said. “It’s never too late to quit, but the sooner you do it, the better.”
Summary of findings from the report:
- There is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke.
- Damage from tobacco smoke is immediate.
- Smoking longer means more damage.
- Cigarettes are designed for addiction.
- Even low levels of exposure to tobacco smoke are dangerous.
- There is no safe cigarette.
For more information please click here.