Proportion of countries implementing policies to re-duce exposure of children to SHS

Data source
WHO tobacco control database (1).

Description of data
The tobacco control database (1) covers 41 indicators on tobacco use and control policies in 48 Member States in the Region. The data are drawn mainly from the regional survey of country-specific data (provided by the WHO national counterparts for the Action Plan for a Tobacco-free Europe), first undertaken in 2001, and other internationally recognized sources. The database covers five main areas: smoking prevalence, legislation, economics, cessation and general policy. It is constantly updated. An important advance on the 2001 exercise is that information from countries about their national legislation on tobacco control has been directly checked and cross-checked with information received from other sources.

Country data on three additional sub-indicators were collected for the purpose of this fact sheet: smoke-free public areas, smoke-free public transport and direct advertising of tobacco products. The data were collected in a meta-data sheet and assessed according to the scoring system.
Method of calculating the indicator
For each component, the following scoring is accepted:
0 = no restriction or prohibition
1 = partial restriction, prohibition or voluntary agreement
2 = complete ban or prohibition.

The index is computed as a sum of the score of seven components, SUM (Ci), where Ci is the score for component i. Maximum value of the indicator (a score of 14) means that all aspects are fully regulated, providing maximum legal protection for children against exposure to SHS in public spaces.

The full list of components (Ci) is as follows:

smoking prohibited in health care facilities;
smoking prohibited in educational facilities;
smoking prohibited in bars and restaurants;
smoking prohibited in theatres and cinemas;
smoking prohibited in public transport vehicles (combined component of seven means of transport: buses, taxis, trains, domestic and international air transport, and domestic and international water transport);
advertising of tobacco products prohibited in the national mass media; and
sale of tobacco to minors prohibited (sale of tobacco to persons aged under 16 years not allowed, with or without the imposition of penalties such as fines for such sales).
Geographical coverage
Countries of the WHO European Region.

Period of coverage
The analysis is based on the latest available information.

Frequency of update
The database is reviewed and updated regularly in close collaboration with the national counterparts for the European Strategy for Tobacco Control.

Data quality
The tobacco control database does not cover regulations about smoke-free areas of particular relevance for children, such as sports arenas, gymnasiums and other exercise facilities.