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Ulster Cancer Foundation Urges European Candidates to put Workplace Smoking Ban at Top of Agenda
By Derval Keenan, 6/15/2004 10:25:56 AM
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The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) continued their campaign for the implementation of a ban on smoking in the workplace today, by writing to all six of the European Union Election Candidates urging them to support a ban on smoking in the workplace.
The Republic of Ireland, was the first country in the European Union to implement the smoking ban on the 29th March. The legislation is working well with 97% of inspected premises complying with the law according to a report published by the Office of Tobacco Control (OTC).
Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, Ulster Cancer Foundation added, The large majority of Northern Irelands population (74%) 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 on the European Candidates to ensure that workers in Northern Ireland and the rest of Europe will enjoy the same protection as their colleagues in the Republic of Ireland. There is strong evidence that more and more countries around the globe are looking at implementing some form of smoking bans.
Norway imposes a national ban on smoking in restaurants, bars and cafes from 1st June. The Norwegian government states the ban is to protect staff working in these establishments from passive smoking and to "de-normalise" smoking as a social pastime.
California also has some of the toughest and most extensive anti-smoking legislation anywhere in the world. In New York, smoking has been banned in bars, clubs and restaurants since March 2003.
From this month, smokers will no longer be able to light up on Manly, one of Australia's most famous and picturesque stretches of surfing beach.
Other Sydney areas - including the world-famous Bondi Beach - are reported to be considering following suit. Smoking is already banned in all airports, government offices, health clinics and workplaces in Australia. Restaurants and shopping centres in most states and territories are also smoke-free zones.
Gerry McElwee continued; 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 UKs 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.
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Issued on behalf of the Ulster Cancer Foundation
For further information please contact, Nicola Smyth, PR Manager, UCF, on
Tel: 028 9066 3281 or 07703 321643 or
Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention on Tel: 028 9066 3281
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