Editorial

The dangers of tobacco smoking are well known; in fact there can be no reasonable doubt today that smoking is bad for health. We have also become increasingly aware of other dangers from smoking, namely the harm that is caused to bystanders, or those people who, while not themselves smoking, have to draw their oxygen from the same air that has been polluted by the smoker.

It is unfair for someone who wants to smoke at all cost to force another to run the same health risks as s/he. Increasingly, "clean" people have been taking steps to insist that their part of the world should remain smoke-free.

Bars, restaurants, offices, theatres, cinemas, buses and airplanes have, in many societies, been made smoke-free zones and even we, in our own lethargic and half-hearted way, have made some steps in the direction of cleaner air.

More changes to tighten the noose are envisaged soon, with proposed changes by the government to the Tobacco Control Act, contemplating an increase in the areas where smoking will be banned. There are also to be more restrictions on advertising and sponsorship by tobacco firms, among other measures. Health director general Ray Busuttil, who made the announcement of the planned moves, accompanied a ministerial delegation to the World Health assembly which endorsed the first international convention against smoking, unanimously approved by the 192 member countries of the World Health Organisation.

The proposed changes to Malta's smoking laws promise to be very much in line with the convention. The Maltese health authorities are now involved in the process of drafting the legal provisions to be introduced.

The European Union's acquis communautaire too requires Malta to make more restrictive smoking laws. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control commits member countries to fight the "devastating consequences of tobacco consumption exposure".

This convention did not come lightly but was agreed to by member states in March after three years of negotiations in the face of resistance from international tobacco firms and requires countries to ban or set tight restrictions on tobacco advertising, sponsorship and promotion within five years. Health warnings on cigarettes packets, tax increases on tobacco products and a crackdown on cigarette smuggling are also required.

Tobacco smoking is no cheap game in terms of human life. In Malta itself, there were 342 deaths attributable to smoking in 2001. One cannot but urge the government to quickly sign the convention and take strong steps to enforce the law. There is far too much smoking, for a start, especially among young people, and far too much disrespect in public areas for those who do not want to breathe fouled air.

The Malta Medical Students' Association, while appealing for an early ratification, recalled that in the light of recent threats to humanity, it was easy to forget that tobacco remains one of the world's greatest killers.

We have a new parliament. Let it show its mettle by quickly going on the offensive, ratifying the convention and insisting on strict enforcement. The police, the courts, all relevant authorities and, especially, society itself have to join in the national effort to curb this unsociable and unhealthy habit.