Chapter twelve
Prescriptions
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Smoke Free Europe - A Forum for Networks
n October 1996 two meetings were held simultaneously in Helsinki.
The Smokefree Europe Conference was an open one and the Cancer
experts« meeting a closed gathering focused on seeking re-definitions
of smoking and health policies within the European Union.
The combination proved to be a good one. The results of the closed meeting were introduced to the larger audience and could be commented on immediately. Putting together two conferences of such a different nature would seem to be an bureaucratic quagmire and organisational nightmare. But there was an added value to be discovered: delegates from very different academic backgrounds had the opportunity to meet on the theme of smoking and health.
Conferences have a strong sense of tradition. One produced a resolution of Smokefree Europe strategies, while the other came up with a policy paper containing detailed recommendations. In addition to these, we wanted to complete the policy approach with one document more: the UICC's advise on organising smoke-free events.