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Ulster Cancer Foundation Urges Secretary of State to use Northern Ireland as Smokefree Workplace Pilot for UK
By Derval Keenan, 6/15/2004 10:24:31 AM
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The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) has called on the Secretary of State Paul Murphy, and Health Minister Angela Smith, on the eve of World No Tobacco Day, to introduce healthy smokefree workplaces in Northern Ireland as a number one priority.
The charity have been campaigning for a ban on smoking in the workplace for 20 years and believe the time is right to introduce the legislation here in Northern Ireland to protect workers from the smoking-related illnesses which cause around 2,800 deaths locally every year.
Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, UCF added, ?“Since the successful implementation of the ban in the Republic there has been a growing groundswell of public support for the introduction of the legislation here.
We call on the Secretary of State Paul Murphy and the Health Minister Angela Smith to press ahead with legislation here in Northern Ireland as a pilot for the UK. We know this legislation would have the backing of local politicians, trade unions and the general public. Employees in the north are looking enviously at the protection given to their southern colleagues and we demand urgent action.?”
Pat McGreevy, Co-Chairman of the UCF?’s Patient Action Group added, ?“I support this call for a healthy smokefree workplace because is the right thing to do, now is the right time and Northern Ireland is the right place.?”
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Issued on behalf of the Ulster Cancer Foundation
For further information please contact Nicola Smyth, PR Manager, UCF on: 028 9066 3281 or 07703 321643 or Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, UCF on: 07880 504577
Note to editor: World Tobacco Day is Monday 31st May.
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