Liverpool backs SmokeFree pioneer Bhutan

December 7, 2004 - PRESS RELEASE

Smokefree campaigners in Liverpool today gave their backing to an isolated Himalayan kingdom which has become the first country in the world to ban all tobacco products,

Partners in Smokefree Liverpool will be writing to the King of tiny Bhutan to congratulate the nation on its decision.

Shops, hotels, restaurants and bars have been given until December 17 to get rid of all their stocks.

The ban will not apply to tourists, but anyone found to be selling tobacco to locals will face smuggling charges.

"This is a very radical and brave step," said Cllr Ron Gould, a member of Smokefree Liverpool, and a spokesman on the World Health Organisation (WHO) Healthy Cities European Network.

"Bhutan may be small, with around 2m inhabitants, but it is setting a big example to the rest of the world. It will be interesting to see what effect the ban has on the health of its people over the coming years."

Bhutan is one of 40 countries which are parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The UK is among the 168 countries signed up to support the convention, which is a global treaty designed to combat the 'epidemic' of tobacco smoking, currently killing 4.9 million people a year across the world.

Smokefree Liverpool - a coalition of public and private sector groups - is backing Liverpool City Council's bid to secure legislation which will make the city the first in the country to have 100% restrictions on smoking in workplaces.

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Further information from Roger Kenyon on 0151 706 9932