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Pen Your Support for Smokefree Workplaces Be Smokefree, Vote Option C
By Derval Keenan, 6/1/2005 12:21:33 PM
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The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) welcomes the DHSSPS recent publicity of Health Minister, Angela Smiths A Healthier Future public smoking consultation by calling on the public to act now and pen their support for smokefree workplaces in Northern Ireland.
UCF is co-ordinating a public campaign to maximise the response to this vital consultation, highlighting our preference for Option 5.c. and calling for urgent action from the public to vote for legislation to ban smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces, before the consultation period ends on 25th March 2005.
Gerry McElwee, Secretary of ASH (NI), Head of Cancer Prevention, UCF said, 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. However they need to pen their support by voting for Option C if they want to improve the health of local people.
Options 5.a and 5.b will sentence thousands of our low paid workers to endure cancer causing substances in the line of duty. Option 5.c states that legislation should be introduced to ban smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces and it is clearly the only acceptable way to protect all employees equally. Partial measures are unacceptable and will not ensure the health and well being of local people. It is bizarre that the bar staff, who are exposed to much more smoke than other employees, should continue to be exposed to cancer causing substances while others enjoy protection from health and safety legislation.
We fear some local people may be complacent. There is a belief that because the public want smokefree workplaces, itll happen, however this is not the case. Each person must vote individually to make his or her vote count. If an organisation supports Option C than each worker should also vote individually. Vested interests are making their views clear and it is crucial that ordinary people who want smokefree workplaces in Northern Ireland do the same. The future of local employees health, particularly those in the hospitality industry, is in your hands.
UCF has called on international support from cancer leagues, health organisations and tobacco control groups and to date the response rate is high however more can be done, particularly at a local level.
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.
It is absolutely vital that members of the public contact the Government regarding this issue before the 25th March 2005. Ask members of your family, colleagues and all your networks to support Option 5.c.
The success of this campaign will depend on the number of responses from individuals. 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 or www.dhsspsni.gov.uk
-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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