ADVOCACING FOR A SMOKING BAN IN NORTHERN IRELAND
The Advocacy role of ASH

Authors :GERARD MCELWEE, ANNE DEVLIN
CANCER PREVENTION DEPARTMENT,
ULSTER CANCER FOUNDATION

On 17 October 2005 the Health Minister, Shaun Woodward, announced that smokefree legislation would be introduced to Northern Ireland in April 2007. The announcement came as the culmination of many years of campaigning for smokefree places, and just 18 months after the sucessful smokefree law in the Republic of Ireland came into force.

The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) established the ASH (Northern Ireland) committee in 1973, and since then has campaigned vigorously on tobacco issues with local partners and international coalitions. The ASH (NI) 'Tobacco Kills' initiative has ten key areas, including prevention, cessation, information, and advice relating to smokefree environments.
Over the following years, the UCF worked tirelessly on the issue of smokefree places.
Some of our actions include

• Introducing smokefree premises awards to Northern Ireland as an incentive to encourage local businesses to become smokefree
• Organising seminars to raise awareness of the need for smokefree public places
• Producing information leaflets and stickers to educate the public on the dangers of secondhand tobacco smoke
• Continuously lobbying government to introduce smokefree places.

These initiatives included:

• bringing local MPs together on the steps of Castle Buildings, Stormont, for photograph showing support for smokefree places
• attending party political conferences to hold fringe meetings on this issue
• sending letters to Members of Parliament, Members of the European Parliament, and Members of the Local Assembly seeking their support on this matter

All this work helped increase public support, determine examples of good practice, and establish the foundations for eventual legislation. However, the introduction of smokefree legislation in the Republic of Ireland in March 2004 was a major trigger for Northern Ireland to introduce a similar policy.
The huge success in the Republic of Ireland also proved to the public and decision-makers in Northern Ireland that this healthy policy was feasible. This also helped raise the ante locally on this issue. In December 2004 the Department of Health (DHSSPS) issued a twenty-year strategy called 'A Healthier Future'. A key part of this document was the introduction of smokefree legislation.

Three possible options were proposed. The third option, 5c, stated 'SHOULD LEGISLATION BE INTRODUCED TO BAN SMOKING IN ALL ENCLOSED PUBLIC PLACES AND WORKPLACES'

The UCF was determined to generate the greatest number of responses in support of option 5c. Within two weeks the Foundation extended its ASH committee to establish a forum to help take the campaign forward. This forum consisted of 45 leaders from a range of key organisations across Northern Ireland.
Various methods were used to increase public awareness and make it easy for the public to reply. Methods included:

• Freepost postcards
• Posters
• Letters
• Smokefree websites
• Press releases
• Newspaper cut-out voting forms
• Public meetings
• Government lobbying

Over the years, the local media have been very supportive of the Foundation's work in promoting smokefree places. During the consultation period they stepped up this support and printed various stories about patients, local business people, bar owners, etc. One of the main local papers, THE IRISH NEWS, even printed a cut-out voting form every day of the consultation period.

On 24 March 2005 the Foundation delivered 21,500 responses to the Department of Health (DHSSPS). Further responses were accepted until 31 March. Over 73,000 responses were submitted, the majority (91%) in support of Option 5c - all this from a population of 1.7 million. This was the most successful consultation in memory - and probably ever - in the UK. Such strong public support greatly helped the Minister reach his decision to introduce smokefree legislation in Northern Ireland.

On 17 October 2005 the Health Minister, Shaun Woodward, announced that smokefree legislation would be introduced to Northern Ireland in April 2007. He praised local organisations for helping him come to this decision.
In March 2006, Mr Woodward launched an eight-week consultation on the proposal for a draft Smoking Order (Northern Ireland) 2006. This consultation package included the draft order, an explanatory memorandum, the Integrated Impact Assessment Overview, and a questionnaire. The questionnaire sought views on a number of key areas within the draft order.

This consultation was taken extremely seriously by all those who had worked so hard for smokefree places in Northern Ireland. Meetings were held and detailed responses were returned to the Department of Health. Passage of the legislation is expected in December 2006/January 2007.
At this point the exact details of the new legislation remain unclear.
However, from reading the draft order, it is possible to predict what the legislation will include. The legislation will probably state that the management of premises is responsible for ensuring that 'No Smoking' signs are displayed on the premises. Criteria will be set for these in terms of size, design, colour, etc. Failure to comply with such criteria will be an offence. The new legislation will also likely make it the duty of the district councils, via their Environmental Health Officers, to enforce the legislation throughout the various premises, public places, and vehicles within the local district areas.

The campaign had many heros, among them ASH (NI) members since 1973, including:

• Michael Wood, ex-Chief Executive, Ulster Cancer Foundation
• Dr Scott, ex-Chair of ASH
• Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, Ulster Cancer Foundation
• Dr Brian Gaffney, Health Promotion Agency
• Dougal, Chest, Heart and Stroke (NI)
• The British Medical Association (NI)
• Environmental Health

The UCF also wishes to thank our international allies in many countries for their support. A special thank you goes out to European Cancer Leagues and the International Union Against Cancer for encouraging their member organisations to reply to our consultation.

Sourced - http://netsco.dnsalias.net/evidence.php?id=23 [February 2007]