The Next Step For A Smoke-Free Generation: a multidisciplinary study of opportunities for expanding smoke-free environments in the Netherlands (translated from Dutch) 243 7 Introduction Over 9% of the total disease burden in the Netherlands is attributable to smoking.1 This makes smoking - and the associated second-hand smoke - not only the most important risk factor, but also an avoidable risk factor related to disease and premature death. One of the spearheads of the National Prevention Agreement is working towards a Smoke-Free Generation by 2040.2,3 An essential component is to actively protect children from exposure to tobacco smoke and the temptation of smoking by creating and expanding smoke-free environments4. Previous research shows that smoke-free legislation covering public indoor spaces ensures for significant health gains in infants, children and adults.5,6 Where are opportunities for the Netherlands to further reduce the harmful effects of second-hand smoke on children? Figure 1 provides an overview of locations that are already smoke-free under current Dutch legislation, locations that are smoke-free by law in other countries but not yet in the Netherlands, and opportunities for extending smoke-free environments to locations that - as far as we know - are not regulated by law anywhere. A distinction can be made between publicly accessible, semi-private and private venues and between indoor and outdoor areas. Figure 1: Schematic overview of existing and novel smoke-free poilicies, with examples per category (status September 2022)
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