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Cross Party Support for Ulster Cancer Foundation's Call for Smoke-free Workplaces in Northern Ireland
By Derval Keenan, 4/23/2004 4:11:57 PM
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The Ulster Cancer Foundation?’s call for the implementation of smoke-free workplaces in Northern Ireland received cross party support on the steps of Stormont today.
The demand for a healthy smoke-free workplace comes just one week before it becomes law in the Republic of Ireland.
Arlene Spiers, Chief Executive of the Ulster Cancer Foundation said, ?“Public opinion is well ahead of government policy on this issue. 74% of Northern Ireland?’s population are non-smokers and there is significant support for a policy to be implemented in all working environments for the safety of staff and their customers. We are calling for the same protection for workers in Northern Ireland as their colleagues in the Republic will soon enjoy.?”
?“Second-hand smoke is a major health hazard, it contains over 4,000 chemicals, including benzene, formaldehyde, arsenic, ammonia and hydrogen cyanide. The US Environmental Protection Agency has classified environmental tobacco smoke as a known human (class A) carcinogen. This has been confirmed by research from numerous respected organisations worldwide. Including the World Health Organisation and the UK?’s Independent Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health.?”
?“Passive smoking by bar staff during the course of their work can be much higher than that arising from living with a partner who smokes. Indeed living with a smoking partner is known to increase the risk of lung cancer by 20-30% and of heart disease by 30%. Second-hand smoke is also a major trigger of asthma attacks.?”
Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, UCF added, ?“Although scientists in the UK were the first to document the health risks of smoking, it is lagging behind other nations in adopting a comprehensive programme of tobacco control. The Ulster Cancer Foundation are pleased at the amount of cross party support our campaign has received from local MLA?’s and we are urging Minister Angela Smith to introduce a workplace smoking ban as a health priority.?”
?“We congratulate any employers who have voluntarily implemented a ban in their premises but many businesses tell us it would be easier if the legislation was more clearly supportive. In a recent poll over 90% of non-smokers and 57% of smokers agreed that employers should not have to endure passive smoking in the workplace. We must stop regarding smoking as a right and breathing clean air as a privilege.?”
?“The UCF urges the government to follow the example of the Republic of Ireland, Norway, and parts of the USA and Australia who provide their citizens with healthy smoke-free workplaces. We must protect workers from passive smoking in the same way that we would protect them from asbestos or other harmful pollutants.?”
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For further information please contact Nicola Smyth, PR Manager, Ulster Cancer Foundation, on Tel: 028 9066 3281 or mobile: 07703 321643 or Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, Ulster Cancer Foundation on 028 9066 3281 or 07880 504577
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