Tobacco Free Initiative | Tobacco-free public places | Myth 10: Countries that have implemented smoke-free laws have suffered economic losses

Myth 10: Countries that have implemented smoke-free laws have suffered economic losses

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  • Wrong!

The World Bank has concluded that smoking restrictions can reduce overall tobacco consumption by 4%–10%.

Studies in Australia, Canada, Germany and the United States concluded that smoke-free workplaces result in a reduction in consumption of 29% by smokers.

On average, smoke-free workplaces reduce consumption by 3.1 cigarettes per day per smoker and reduce smoking prevalence by 3.8%. This impact is greatly attenuated when smoking is allowed in designated rooms or areas.

Several countries and hundreds of subnational and local jurisdictions have successfully implemented laws that require almost all indoor workplaces and public places to be 100% smoke-free without significant difficulties in implementation and enforcement.

  • 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