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Cancer Patients Lobby FRLT for Smokefree Workplaces
By Derval Keenan, 6/1/2005 12:22:35 PM
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Campaigning at the Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade NI seminar on ?‘Smoking in pubs?’, the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF), with cancer patient?’s, lead a demonstration calling for urgent action to introduce comprehensive smokefree workplace legislation to protect all local employees from second hand tobacco smoke.
UCF have been campaigning for smokefree workplaces in Northern Ireland for over 20 years and have recently stepped up this campaign to maximise the response to Health Minister Angela Smith?’s public smoking consultation, highlighting our preference for Option 5.c., which ends on 25th March 2005.
Options 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, a partial ban, will sentence thousands of 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. UCF believes passionately that option 5.c is the only acceptable way to protect all local employees equally.
Dr. Anna Gavin, Director of Northern Ireland Cancer Registry and Chairman of UCF?’s Action on Smoking on Health leant her support to the campaign. Speaking at the demonstration she said, ?“If we don?’t introduce smokefree legislation then we will see increasing divergence in cancer statistics between North and South. Thirty years from now people will ask why? But we know now that the evidence on the health effects of passive smoking is clear and consistent. Passive smoking is a substantial risk to health causing lung cancer, heart disease and a range of childhood illnesses including asthma, therefore Government has a duty to protect all employees and customers from lethal substances, including second hand smoke in the workplace.?”
Alex McGuigan, a non-smoker who has survived Laryngeal cancer (cancer of the throat) and is a member of UCF?’s Patient Advocacy Group is also putting his weight behind the campaign. Speaking at the demonstration he said, ?“ Before my diagnosis I wasn?’t unduly worried about cancer because I didn?’t smoke or drink and I?’ve always lead a relatively healthy lifestyle. Therefore it was a massive blow to discover that I was being robbed of my natural speech by throat cancer.
?“The facts are terrifying and suggest that second-hand smoke at work kills about 700 people in the UK every year and causes many thousands of asthma attacks and episodes of illness. Therefore it is vital that local workers, particularly those in the hospitality industry, shouldn?’t be exposed to lethal chemicals found in tobacco smoke. Ending smoking in workplaces and enclosed public places is the single most effective action the Government could do to protect non-smokers and encourage more smokers to quit.?”
Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, UCF said, ?“What we are witnessing here is the same scare mongering tactics we saw when legislation was proposed for the Republic of Ireland. We were told that this was the end of civilization, as we knew it and that Irish pub culture would become extinct. However scare tactics from tobacco interests do not hold up against reality as the reaction has been entirely positive. 97% of pubs in the South have complied with the new law and many people, smokers and non-smokers alike, say they socialise more often thanks to the more pleasant smokefree environment.
?“Findings of a recent MORI survey shows that 69% of the Northern Ireland?’s population favour a complete smoking ban in workplaces and public places.
This research supports what the UCF have said for a number of years ?– there is overwhelming support from all sections and ages of our society for comprehensive smokefree policies in all workplaces. UCF also have cross party support from local politicians and the Irish congress of Trade Unions.
?“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.
?“The licensing trade has had years to address this problem under the current legislation and have failed to protect their employees and customers from cancer causing substances. Evidence from around the world (Ireland, Norway, New Zealand, Canada, USA) shows that it takes legislation before the licensed trade will act but when they do so the public react positively.?”
We all have a duty to protect local employees?’ health, however we will not achieve smokefree workplaces unless the public demand it.
You must respond to the consultation with your support for Option 5.c before the 25th March 2005 in one of these ways:
Postcard: Complete a UCF postcard
Email: regional.strategy@dhsspsni.gov.uk
Or online: www.smokefreenorthernireland.com
www.dhsspsni.gov.uk
Or write to:
Regional Strategy Team
Room C4.22
Castle Buildings
Stormont
Belfast
BT4 3SJ.
-ends-
For further information please contact:
Joyce Savage, Head of Appeals and Marketing, Ulster Cancer Foundation on
028 9049 2007 / 07867 901392
or
Derval Keenan, PR Officer, Ulster Cancer Foundation on
028 9049 2007 / 07812 525531
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