The document discusses the harms of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure, particularly for women, children and youth. It notes that SHS exposure increases health risks like respiratory and ear infections in children. It also discusses how creating smoke-free homes can help reduce smoking rates and increase quit rates among low socioeconomic women. The document advocates for empowering women and civil society to promote smoke-free environments and tobacco control efforts.

2. Mother wife Sister daughter nas_MCTC2009

3. What they want What they don’t want Healthy family Happy children Long and quality life Able to enjoy their old age together Clean environment nas_MCTC2009

4. Children’s exposure to SHS increases the risk of lower respiratory tract infections middle ear disease Frequency of asthmatic episodes Absenteeism from school Behavioral problems Poor mental development nas_MCTC2009

5. S mokefree homes reduce smoking among low SES women (Shavers et al, 2006) S mokefree homes lead to higher quit rates among low SES women (Shopland et al, 2006) Low SES women have more difficulty in creating a smokefree home or work environment (Levy et al, 2006;Shavers et al, 2006) P overty, housing and welfare policies contribute to tobacco use trajectories in low SES girls and women (Graham et al, 2006) nas_MCTC2009

6. Private space, my space v workplaces/public places Choice, rights, respect Concerns about social identity e.g. anti-smoker, unfriendly, inconsiderate, hypocritical No-smoking signs generally inappropriate or more for children Used for comfort and relaxation nas_MCTC2009

7. GYTS results – only 11% of our children reported exposure to SHS Lowest among all the countries Realistically- with 57.6% of Malaysian adult males smoke (NHMS3), there is a high chance of children being in danger of being exposed to SHS in their own homes More than 25% admit smoking while watching TV at homes nas_MCTC2009

8. Women often occupy a traditional “place” in society- as people who bear and care for children However, in certain places in Malaysia, women’s status remains low As a result, women in traditional family settings are in dilemma in action against tobacco nas_MCTC2009

9. Roles: Domestic manager Finance manager Behind a man, there’s a woman nas_MCTC2009

10. Evidence from studies show: Smokers preferred messages that offer choices that leave them in control They do not like being told what to do Thus, pleas to smoke outside can elicit feelings that their autonomy and rights are being threatened nas_MCTC2009

11. Remind not ask Soft approach Avoid heavy facts Avoid the use of threats Deliver positive / humorous messages Acknowledge how difficult it is to quit Give credit when due nas_MCTC2009

12. Choose your BF, husband, son-in law wisely Pregnancy- best time to sell Happy occasions Associated illness nas_MCTC2009

13. According to a Boston-based study, men and women with histories of child sexual abuse and relationship violence smoke are 40% more likely to begin smoking. 1 nas_MCTC2009 1 Nichols, H.B., & Harlow, B.L. 2004. “Childhood abuse and risk of smoking onset.” J Epidemiol Community Health, 58 (5), 402-406.

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15. nas_MCTC2009 premature labour Low birth weight psychological problems in offspring - attention problems, hyperactivity, and conduct problems. Animal studies confirm a direct causal effect of toxin exposure on brain development during pregnancy. Higher risks of perinatal death

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18. Women Men Youths Children Join MyWatch (Dato hatijah@mywatch.org.my) nas_MCTC2009

19. Assist the govt with tobacco control interventions to improve family health, particularly for women, children and youth NGOs; Promote tobacco control advocacy through workshops, etc.; Empower women with facts and information on their rights and roles as representatives to become “ agents for change”;the EYES AND EARS of the society Promote research; Build resources through networking with international organizations. nas_MCTC2009

20. With support from the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) and the South-East Asia Tobacco Control and Health (SEATCA), ongoing activities include raising awareness among young people, especially women, on the risks of tobacco use, and advocating for smoke-free environments. To sustain its current program, My Watch works towards ensuring that the use and control of tobacco products complies with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). nas_MCTC2009

21. We will continue to: Link smoke free policies to a range of health, social, environmental and economic programs and policies Offer free cessation aids and make quit lines attractive and accessible to disadvantaged smokers and non-smokers Empower women to reduce exposure to SHS in couples, families, workplaces and in public and private space nas_MCTC2009

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26. Initiated in June 2008 Due to be announced 15.08.09 What it means - NGOs have a role to play And NGOs can make it happen nas_MCTC2009

28. Awareness of the importance of smoke free homes There is no safe level of exposure to SHS CRC “ Rumahku syurgaku” “ My home is my heaven” Soft approach Even a little means a lot (remember Yuhta Ohishi) Community participation- civil society Bottom-up approach nas_MCTC2009

29. PHILLIP JAMES BAILEY

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