THIRD WORLD CONFERENCE
ON NONSMOKERS' RIGHTS

   The Third World Conference on Nonsmokers’ Rights was held in Washington DC on April 1-3, 2006.  It was attended by a cross section of law students interested in this area of law – almost double the number who has participated in the 2005 Conference. 

In addition, there were a large number of attorneys already practicing in this field of law, and, for the first time, almost half a dozen participants from other countries.  Indeed, this was the first “world conference” which truly lived up to its name, and which can set a goal for the future.  The Conference was also proud to have the Executive Director and several members of the Board of FAMRI attend and participate.

In addition to the presentations by the law students, and a discussion and critique on each of their presentations, the Conference also featured discussions of the many full-time and part-time opportunities for lawyers to participate in the movement.  Several activists then presented their own proposals which were likewise discussed. 

Then, many of the activists (lawyers and non-lawyers) made brief presentations describing their own work, and how what they had done and what they had learned might be applied by others in additional areas.  In a special international panel, five participants from foreign countries described the problems facing nonsmokers in their own countries, and efforts now underway to deal with them through law-related and other actions.

The representatives from FAMRI provided information about the organization – including how it came into existence, and what it has been able to do – as well as a fascinating look back at the problems of smoking aboard airplanes.  This seemed to be of particular interest to many of the law students who have grown up not realizing just how pervasive and dangerous smoking on airplanes was at one time, and how the efforts to restrict smoking on airplanes had such an impact in so many other areas. Many of the student and attorney participants expressed thanks to FAMRI for sponsoring this unique conference, and for helping to bring them together.

The contest winners are as follows:
S. Joshua Rogers 1st Prize  “Legislation to Ban Smoking in all Transit Areas”
Andy Mielnik 2nd Prize “Tenant Lawsuits Against Smoking Neighbors for Nuisance Violations”
Michael Chaudhuri 3rd prize “Tort Actions Against Casinos Based on Duty to Provide Safe Premises”
Thomas Wooldridge 3rd Prize “ON BEHALF OF THE KING: Using Qui Tam and Civil RICO against Jenkins Act violators on Indian Reservations" 
Many of the other submissions were awarded honorable mention.

The papers of all of the finalists, including those of the winners, cen be found at:http://nosmokingcontest.org/papers/papers06/

Videotapes of the entire Conference were also made, and a copy will be provided to FAMRI for its use, along with pictures taken at the Conference.

Below is the agenda for the Third World Conference on Nonsmokers Rights

FRIDAY [in the FACULTY CONFERENCE CENTER*]:

07:00-09:00 Get-together DINNER and Initial registration [120 min]


SATURDAY [in the MOOT COURT**]:

09:00-09:30 BREAKFAST and final registration (registration closes at 09:30 SHARP) [30 min]

09:30-09:45 Welcome, by Elizabeth A. Kress, Executive Director of FAMRI [15 min]
 
09:45-10:15 Opening Remarks and Saturday Keynote, by Law Prof John Banzhaf [30 min]

10:15-11:15  Student Legal Action Suggestions, Panel A, Presenters 1, 2, 3, and 4 [60 min]

11:15-11:30 BREAK [15 min]

11:30-11:45 How One Girl’s Actions Banned Virtually all Outdoor Smoking, by Margo Arnold

11:45-12:45 Student Legal Action Suggestions, Panel B, Presenters 5, 6, 7, and 8 [60 min]


[Move UPstairs TO FACULTY CONFERENCE CENTER* FOR LUNCH]

01:00-02:00 LUNCH with presentations from Panel of FAMRI Flight Attendant Trustees: [60 min]
Bland Lane, Lani Blissard, Leisa Sudderth, and Patty Young

[Move DOWNstairs TO MOOT COURT ** FOR REMAINDER OF CONFERENCE]

02:00-2:15 Employment and Other Opportunities for Antismoking Attorneys,  John Banzhaf [15 min]

02:15-03:15 Student Legal Action Suggestions, Panel C, Presenters 9, 10, 11, and 12 [60 min]

03:15-03:30 BREAK [15 min]
 
03:30-04:30 International Antismoking Efforts, Activities, and Successes [60 min]
    FAMRI
    Laurent Huber, FCA CEO & ASH
    Heather Selin, Advisor, Tobacco Control, Pan Amer. Health Org [PAHO]
    Javier Vasquez, PAHO and WHO
    INTERNATIONAL
    Ezekwesiri Eluchie, Exec Dir., People Against Drug Dependence & Ignorance [PADDI]
        NIGERIA
    Patricia Maganga, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, TANZANIA
    Deborah, Sy, PHILIPPINES
    Jackie Tumwine, Exec Dir, Health & Environmental Rights Org, [HERO] UGANDA 4:30-04-45 BREAK [15 min]

04:45-05:45 Attorney Legal Action Suggestions and Discussion [60 min]
    Robert Barnes, Center 4 Tobacco Control Research & Education
    Micah Berman, Exec Dir, Tobacco Public Policy, Center Capital U Law School
    Karen Blumenthal, New Jersey GASP
    Ezekwesiri Eluchie, Exec Dir., People Against Drug Dependence & Ignorance [PADDI]
        NIGERIA

    Andrew Schuman, Ohio Assis Country Prosecutor & Activist

05:45-06:00 Closing remarks and comments about the Sunday sessions, by  John Banzhaf

SUNDAY [in the MOOT COURT**]:

09:00-09:30 BREAKFAST [30 min]

09:30-10:00 Sunday Keynote by  Leisa Sudderth, FAMRI Flight Attendant Trustee [30 min]

10:00-11:00 Brief presentations by selected antismoking attorneys [60 min]

11:00-11:15 BREAK [15 min]

11:15-11:30 Announcement of Winners & Presentation of Awards [15 min]

11:30-12:00 Closing remarks, by Law Professor John Banzhaf [30 min]

12:00-01:00 LUNCH (with box lunches) and open mike forum [60 min]

** The MOOT COURT, where the remainder of the Conference will be held -- including the Saturday and Sunday breakfast, and the box lunch on Sunday -- is located on the ground floor of the Lerner Hall, 2000 H Street, NW, Washington, DC.  It is part of the main Law School complex.
     To get there, please enter through the main entrance at 2000 H St [on H Street] and take an immediate right. After passing a male rest room, you will enter through the main door to the Moot Court. Just outside the other door from the Moot Court is a female rest room.

PHONE NUMBER AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Prior to the beginning of the Conference – i.e., before 6 PM on Friday, March 31st – you can reach Conference personnel by calling (202) 659-4312 or at info@nosmokingcontest.org

JUDGES
    Robert Barnes, Center 4 Tobacco Control Research & Education
    Karen Blumenthal, New Jersey GASP
    Bill Godshall, Smokefree Pennsylvania