Tobacco Free Initiative | Tobacco-free public places | Myth 6: 100% smoke-free laws are unconstitutional and violate the personal rights and liberties of smokers

Myth 6: 100% smoke-free laws are unconstitutional and violate the personal rights and liberties of smokers

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  • Wrong!

Smoke-free laws do not prohibit smokers from smoking. They only limit where they smoke to protect others from exposure to tobacco smoke.

“The right to smoke” is not stipulated in any constitution or international human rights law. Conversely, “the right to life, health, healthy environments and other rights” are at the core of international human rights law.

Smoke-free laws promote this fundamental right to life and health.

  • Tobacco-free public spaces

Tobacco-free public places means that ALL indoor workplaces and indoor public places should be 100% smoke-free.

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Statistics and figures

By 2030 70% of tobacco-related deaths will be in developing countries

Tobacco use in the Eastern Mediterranean Region