Lessons to be learnt from Tobacco Control

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Lessons to be learnt from Tobacco Control

Deborah Arnott, Director ASH Alcohol Concern AGM
2007 deborah.arnott_at_ash.org.uk
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RCP 1962 report 45 years ago

• (i) more education of the public and especially
  schoolchildren concerning the hazards of smoking
• (ii) more effective restrictions on the sale of
  tobacco to children
• (iii) restriction of tobacco advertising
• (iv) wider restriction of smoking in public
  places
• (v) an increase of tax on cigarettes, perhaps
  with adjustment of the tax on pipe and cigar
  tobaccos
• (vi)informing purchasers of the tar and nicotine
  content of the smoke of cigarettes
• (vii) investigating the value of anti-smoking
  clinics to help those who find difficulty in
  giving up

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Achievements since then

• Tax increases at each budget since 1993 (only
  at inflation rate since 2001)
• Stop Smoking Services set up 1999
• Well funded media and education campaigns
  (started 1999 peaked 2004-5)
• Large health warnings on packs 2002
• Tobacco ad ban legislation 2003
• Smokefree legislation 2007
• Age of sale 18 2007
• Picture warnings 2008
• Negative licensing of retailers 2009

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European countries ranked by total Tobacco
Control Scale score
Score out of 100 UK 93 Ireland 74
Norway 66 Finland 58 France 59 Germany 37
Weights Price 30 Public places bans 22
Campaign spending 15 Ad ban 13 Health warnings
10 Treatment 10
Joossens Raw 2007
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Successful smokefree campaign 2003-2007
In retrospect it might look easy ..200 majority
in the House of Commons all indoor workplaces
have gone smokefree
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But it wasnt an easy campaign..
The Secretary of State for Health fought the ban
tooth and nail Show us the votes we were told
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How did we do it?

• Define your objective
• Frame the argument
• Build your Coalition
• Split the Opposition
• Exploit Your Opportunities
• Find Your Political Champions
• Create the impression of inevitable success

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Frame the Argument

• From "freedom" and "rights" of smokers
• Courtesy of choice voluntary action and
  compromises to ..
• its a health and safety at work issue
• secondhand smoke is a killer and
• Everyone has a right to a smokefree workplace

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Build your coalition

• Smokefree Action Coalition created around our key
  messages
• ASH provided the resources and coordinated the
  strategic planning
• Swarm effect each member ran its own
  campaigns but committed to one overall strategy

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Use the coalition to build media and public
support

• Develop a media strategy to promote your key
  messages
• Build public support
• 8 out of 10 of the population supported smokefree
  workplace legislation
• Support for smokefree pubs and bars rose from
  half to two thirds from March 04 to Dec 05

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Exploit your opportunities
Tuesday 8.6.04 John Reids gaffe
anti-legislation 8pm ASH rung by Guardian 10pm
put quote out to PA 9 -10 June massive coverage
TV radio and press 11 June ASH launch major poll
showing majority support legislation This was
the turning point after this Reid accepted
legislation was inevitable
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Smokefree preference set
Split the Opposition
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Find Your Political Champions

• Tessa Jowell Secretary of State for DCMS
• Kevin Barron MP Chair, Health Select Committee
• John Grogan MP, chair of the all-party beer group
  
• Lord (Richard) Faulkner

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Kevin Barron Chair Health Select Committee

• Nov 05 Health Bill inc. exemptions for pubs and
  clubs
• Nov 05 HSC hearings into Health Bill November
  2005
• Dec 05 HSC Report supported comprehensive
  smokefree legislation
• Dec 05 HSC members supported All Party amendment
  
• Jan 06 Government under pressure allowed free
  vote
• 14 February 06 vote took place - 200 majority for
  comprehensive legislation

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Create the impression of inevitable success
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More information

• See www.smokefreeaction.org.uk/
• Tobacco Control article December 07 available
  from deborah.arnott_at_ash.org.uk
• Also currently campaigning for www.firesafercigare
  ttes.org.uk/