Has the introduction of smokefree legislation been successful in other countries?
Across the world, as the evidence of the risks associated with secondhand smoke exposure has accumulated, action has been taken to reduce people’s exposure to secondhand smoke. Ireland (2004), Norway (2004), Scotland (2006), New Zealand (2004), various Canadian territories and Australian states are examples of places which have introduced comprehensive smokefree legislation (including smokefree pubs, bars and restaurants). In America, California has had state-wide smokefree public places since 1998 and New York City passed smokefree legislation in 2003. Today, over sixteen US states have smokefree legislation that required completely smokefree restaurants and bars. Comprehensive smokefree legislation has proved to be effective in protecting people from the health risks of secondhand smoke. For example, research published in The Journal of the American Medical Association found rapid and significant improvement in respiratory health of bartenders after the implementation smokefree workp
