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Be Smokefree, Vote Option C
By Stuart Neville, 11/02/2005 16:39:51
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The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) who co-ordinate Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) in Northern Ireland marks Ash Wednesday by launching Be Smokefree, Vote Option C at Belfasts City Hall, to campaign for the introduction of smokefree workplace legislation in Northern Ireland.
UCF is calling for urgent action from the public to vote for legislation to ban smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces during the Health Minister, Angela Smiths public consultation period on a new twenty-year strategy for health and well-being, A Healthier Future, which closes on 25th March 2005.
UCFs Ash Committee has mobilised strong coalition support for this integrated, co-ordinated, multi-disciplinary political lobbying campaign to maximise public support for Option C. This campaign includes letter writing; e-mail, posters and postcards that will be distributed to over 150,000 people across Northern Ireland by urging the public to have there say and make their voice heard.
Speaking at the launch Gerry McElwee, Secretary of ASH (NI), Head of Cancer Prevention, UCF, said, 700 UK workers die every year from breathing other peoples tobacco smoke. The Minister proposes three possible options on how to tackle this problem:
Option 5.a is to maintain the status quo. This would continue to see thousands of local employees subjected to carcinogens from other people's tobacco smoke.
Option 5.b would introduce policies in some workplaces, while failing to protect workers in the hospitality industry from unnecessary risks of cancer and heart disease.
We believe that these exemptions cannot be justified on health and safety grounds, and would increase health inequalities between rich and poor.
Option 5.c states:
'Legislation should be introduced to ban smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces'
Option 5.c is clearly the only acceptable way to protect all employees equally. The publics support of smoke-free workplaces is vital to the health of local people.
It is ludicrous that the bar staff, who are exposed to much more smoke than other employees, should continue to be exposed while others enjoy protection from health and safety legislation. Many of our hospitality workers are low paid, un-unionised and work long hours in smoke-filled rooms. Research carried out by UCF shows that the majority of people in Northern Ireland, smokers and non-smokers, employers and employees, want their workplaces to be smoke-free. 76% of bar/restaurant staff including a majority of smoking staff, felt that all hospitality staff should be able to work in a smoke-free environment. No worker should have to be exposed to other people's tobacco smoke in their line of duty. We cannot continue to regard smoking as a right and breathing clean air as a privilege.
Host of the launch, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tom Ekin said, "Belfast City Council is happy to support the campaign for smokefree workplaces and enclosed public places. The campaign is not about attacking anyone's rights. On the contrary, it's about protecting the right of workers and the general public to breathe smokefree air."
Adding his support, Tom Moore, Education and Training Officer, N. I. Committee, Irish congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) said, Two million workers are still routinely exposed to second-hand smoke in the workplace even though the SCOTH report (2004) commissioned by the government proved the link between lung cancer, heart disease and other respiratory diseases and exposure to second-hand smoke. Ending smoking in the workplace would save many lives each year and is a simple and cost effective way to encourage and help smokers to quit.
Tobacco smoke is a killer and should be treated as such in
the workplace. Its an employers duty to protect rights of worker and we in ICTU are whole heartedly in support of option C
Gerry McElwee continued, Legislation in Ireland has proved very successful with a compliance rate of 97%. Other countries including Norway, Italy, New Zealand, Cuba and Scotland have followed this lead. UCF is determined that the health of local workers will be protected also.
We all have a duty to protect local employees health however we will not achieve smokefree workplaces unless the public demand it. The success of this campaign, Be Smokefree Vote Option C, depends on the support of local people from all communities, ages and social classes throughout Northern Ireland.
By meeting and sharing knowledge and research with a wide range of organisations UCF / ASH have empowered professionals to motivate their communities to vote for Option C.
It is absolutely vital that members of the public contact the Government regarding this issue before the 25th March 2005.
If you would like to protect the health of employees in Northern Ireland please respond to the Regional Strategy Consultation and express your preference for Option 5.c before 25th March 2005 by writing to Regional Strategy Team, DHSSPS, Room C4. 22, Castle Buildings, Stormont, Belfast BT4 3SJ. Responses can also be sent by filling in UCFs freepost postcard; email regional.strategy@dhsspsni.gov.uk or you can express your support online at www.smokefreenorthernireland.com (this website is currently under construction but will go live on 21st February 2005).
-ends-
For further information please contact:
Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, Ulster Cancer Foundation on
028 9049 2007 / 07880 504577
or
Derval Keenan, PR Officer, Ulster Cancer Foundation on
028 9049 2007 / 07812 525531
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