Worldwide news and comment

All articles written by Marita Hefler unless otherwise attributed. Ideas and items for News Analysis should be sent to: [email protected].

In November 2019, Austria finally took steps towards basic minimum standards for tobacco control, with the implementation of a comprehensive smoke-free policy covering bars and restaurants. The move to smoke-free public spaces is well overdue in the country, where political intransigence has resulted in it long being known as the ashtray of Europe. It has consistently lagged behind other European countries – and much of the world – in protecting its citizens from tobacco, with predictable results. From 2000–2018, Austria was one of only three OECD countries that failed to reduce smoking prevalence. Since Austria ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2005, there has been only a small decline in male smoking prevalence, while female smoking prevalence has increased. Twenty four percent of Austrians aged 15 years and older smoke, and the prevalence of youth smoking and non-smoker exposure to tobacco smoke pollution are among the highest in Europe.