Today, the Government has set forward a whitepaper on smokefree restaurants, pubs, bars etc. for consideration by the Parliament. – The main purpose of the legislation, is to protect employees, as well as guests from passive smoking. By this legislation we will comly with the demands from the unions about the right to a smokefree work environment, says the Minister of Health Mr. Dagfinn Høybråten. He characterises the whitepaper as an historic milestone in the fight against the damages caused by tobacco.

-Considering the knowledge we have on the damaging effects of smoking, it would be a serious neglection not to secure the employees in their working environment, says the Minister of Health. The employees in the servicebusiness are today the only group of workers which do not have an effective legislation to protect them from passive smoking at work. Research shows that waiters, waitresses and barkeepers have a significant increased risk of lungcancer compared to other occupational groups. American research from California shows that the health of servicepersons has been substantially improved 4 weeks after the legislation on smokefree restaurants was introduced.

Between 350 and 550 non-smokers die prematurely every year in Norway from passive smoking. 120 000 persons with asthma have severe problems going to restaurants where smoking is allowed.

Among the organisations supporting the whitepaper are labour organisations, the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions, health professionals and a number of non governmental organisations.

The supervision of the legislation on smokefree restaurants is maintained by municipalities. The Labour Inspection is supervising the work-areas in the restaurants. Compared to the existing legislation, a total ban on smoking will be much easier to supervise.

Several states in the USA, Canada and Australia have extensive legislation prohibiting smoking. Even though a total ban on smoking in all restaurants, pubs, bars etc has been introduced in two states in the USA, Norway will be the first country to adopt a nation-wide total ban on smoking in all restaurants, pubs, bars etc.