Tobacco-free Europe

Tobacco-free Europe contributes to the reduction of tobacco use in the WHO European Region, and the harm caused by the use of tobacco products and by exposure to tobacco smoke. It helps to equip governments, international agencies and other partners to work together to control the tobacco epidemic, particularly through the implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and the European Strategy for Tobacco Control.

Tobacco-free Europe:

-promotes Region-wide political commitment to tobacco control
-supports the building of capacity in countries
-strengthens international coordination
-facilitates information exchange and promotes technical cooperation.

Tobacco-free Europe provides technical assistance and policy support for:

-national programmes and action plans
-multisectoral policies and collaboration
-tobacco control economics and legislation
-surveillance and monitoring
-health promotion
-smoking cessation and advocacy for tobacco control through public policy.

Source: http://www.euro.who.int/tobaccofree

Smoking In Europe

-Greece has the highest proportion of adult smokers in Europe - 45%
-Ireland was the first European country to implement a comprehensive ban on smoking in public places in March 2004
-Norway followed soon after, but allowed a smokers' corner in workplaces
-Italy banned workplace smoking in January 2005 and Naples and Verona have made smoking illegal in public parks
-Belgium allows smoking in cafes and bars if they have ventilation installed and are at least 50sq m (538sq ft) in area

Source: BBC_NEWS