SmokeHaz: key recommendations in 8 languages

Key recommendations from the newly launched SmokeHaz website are now available to download for free in 8 different languages.

SmokeHaz aims to provide scientific information on the negative consequences of active and passive smoking for public health.

The recommendations document provides a concise overview of the evidence showing the links between smoking and lung conditions. It also provides 8 key recommendations for how to reduce the burden of tobacco-related lung conditions.

The new website was launched during an event in Athens, Greece, which coincided with the country’s EU presidency. Guests at the event included Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis, European Respiratory Society (ERS) President Peter Barnes, Chair of the ERS Tobacco Control Committee Christina Gratziou, and ELF Chair Monica Fletcher.

The launch gained impressive media coverage across Greece, including articles in digital and print media, as well as radio and TV coverage.

Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis stated: “The Greek government is at war with smoking. The last few years, we have taken all necessary institutional measures to persuade Greek citizens to refrain from smoking. Smoking kills both those smoking and those around them, and that is something we can’t stand by watching and no longer stay inert.”

Professor Peter Barnes, ERS President, said: “It is a fact that 1 in 8 deaths in the EU originates from respiratory diseases. Over 50% of deaths are caused by lung cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and are directly related to smoking. To better understand the magnitude of the problem it is worth mentioning that each year there are over 6 million hospital admissions due to respiratory disease, with a total cost of over 380 billion euros.”

Chair of the Tobacco Control Committee of ERS, Professor Christina Gratziou, said: “Health authorities should harmonise and implement health policy in accordance with the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in all the states of Europe. We hope that SmokeHaz will provide all stakeholders with an important source of documented scientific information. Additionally, the website lists recommendations that will help towards the implementation of a broader policy for the control and restriction of smoking.”

Read the key recommendations documents.