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SMOKING IN THE WORKPLACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND
By Derval Keenan, 11/7/2005 4:08:26 PM
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A Ministerial announcement is due today, Monday 17th October at 2pm
The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) in its role as ASH (NI) has led the campaign for smoke-free workplaces for over 30 years. Staff from UCF will be available at the Waterfront Hall, and on the numbers below, on Monday from 1.30pm onwards for an immediate response and photo opportunities.
The Patients?’ Advocacy Group, including lung cancer patient Mary Hill, along with Bar and Café staff who have supported our campaign will also be available.
Ulster Cancer Foundation contact details:·
Gerry McElwee (Head of Cancer Prevention): 07880504577·
Arlene Spiers (Chief Executive): 07788146398·
Anne Devlin (Cancer Prevention Officer): 07793075452· Pauline Wylie (PR manager): 07810371118·
Derval Keenan (PR officer): 07812525531 Main office: 028 90 492007·
Website: ulstercancer.org
Ulster Cancer Foundation (ASH Northern Ireland) comment Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, Ulster Cancer Foundation: ?“The Health Minister, Shaun Woodward has been given a golden opportunity to drastically improve the health of the people of Northern Ireland. His decision can end all smoking in all workplaces and enclosed public places.
The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) has campaigned on this issue for over 30 years. During that time we have provided successive Ministers with all the facts, evidence and arguments they could ever need to support a ban. What we cannot do is provide the Minister with a backbone. This issue has now become the key test of his political reputation. Fudged proposals such as exemptions for some pubs or separate smoking rooms would fail to protect those workers and members of the public who are at most risk from other people?’s smoke. They would be less effective in encouraging smokers to quit and more difficult to enforce. The primary issue is one of employees?’ health. Second-hand smoke contains 4,000 chemicals including benzene and arsenic, over 60 of which cause cancer. Smoking is responsible for 2,800 deaths each year in Northern Ireland and is a major contributor to disability, illness and health inequalities.
This imminent decision is make or break for Shaun Woodward?’s reputation. Does he want to be remembered as a Health Minister who brought in the greatest public health measure for a generation, or as a politician who lost his nerve at the last minute? If he makes a decisive call for comprehensive smoke-free legislation, he can be sure that UCF will be fully supportive as the law goes through Parliament and is then implemented.We are confident that the Minister will act decisively so that local workers will no longer have to breathe carcinogens in the line of duty.?”
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