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Smoke Free Europe - A Forum for Networks

t was during the 9th World Conference on Tobacco or Health in 1994 that someone mentioned casually that it might be useful for Europeans to gather together on smoking issues. The old continent is small and densely populated, and neighbouring countries could find ways of helping each other on tobacco problems. In global surroundings specific European questions do not always receive enough focus given the enormous scale of tobacco consumption in the world.

The idea flourished and the discussion went further. Dr Liisa Elovainio of the Cancer Society of Finland, Professor Pekka Puska from National Public Health Institute and the then director of Finnish Centre for Health Promotion Dr Matti Rajala realised that the potential for organising a conference existed. After all, the experiences of anti-tobacco programmes, campaigns, legislation, research and smoking cessation were rich. The Finnish Centre for Health Promotion, an NGO with nearly one hundred health associations as members, was able to create a conference secretariat and take charge of the preparatory work. International support for the initiative grew rapidly and broad encouragement was strong.

It was from this simple background that the Smokefree Europe process began. The combination of people, timing, practical ideas and the right resources can produce surprising results, but the real test is--when taking a subject such as tobacco control--to make them sustainable and to follow up the many demands they contain. In terms of Smokefree fora there are firm bases for this, and prospects for their continuation into the next century look good.

Smokefree Europe fora -- Helsinki and Las Palmas

European Tobacco Control Initiative: from Helsinki to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Anti-smoking policy in Finland

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