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UCF says Wanless Report Backs Case for Smokefree Workplaces
By Derval Keenan, 4/23/2004 4:09:56 PM
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The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) has welcomed the report on public health from Derek Wanless.
The Wanless Report (?‘Securing Good Health for the Whole Population?’) provides powerful backing to the case for a new law ending smoking in the workplace and identifies smoking as ?“the single greatest cause of preventable illness and premature death in the UK?”. It also states ?“there is a strong socio-economic gradient ?… half the difference in survival to 70 years of age between social class 1 and V is due to smoking.?”
The report also refutes the tobacco lobby?’s attempts to deny that second hand smoke is dangerous to the health of non-smokers. ?“Secondhand smoking ... increases the risk of lung cancer for 20-30% for people who live with smokers, equivalent to several hundred deaths a year. Secondhand smoke also causes heart disease?… Children are particularly vulnerable to passive smoking?”
The report says that the ?“voluntary approach to smoking in the workplace has had limited success?”. ?“A number of other countries have now implemented a workplace smoking ban via legislation. Some of this experience has been shown to be successful in reducing the prevalence of smoking. Public support for smoking restrictions has also been found, in surveys, to be high?…?”
Gerry McElwee, UCF?’s Head of Cancer Prevention commented:
The government must act on this report now. The provision of healthy working environments will be a key test of the Government?’s seriousness in improving public health.?”
This Report shows how smoking remains the number one cause of preventable deaths. It confirms that action to end smoking in the workplace would cut the risk to non-smokers and save the lives of smokers as well. It calls for clear targets to cut smoking and supports the case for a new regulatory system for all nicotine products.
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For further information please contact : Nicola Smyth, PR Manager, Ulster Cancer Foundation or Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, Ulster Cancer Foundation on Tel: 028 9066 3281
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