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UCF Welcomes Blair Smoking Comments
By Derval Keenan, 9/8/2004 12:01:34 PM
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The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) has given a warm welcome to Prime Minister Tony Blair?s comments on BBC breakfast this morning that the Government is considering a ban on smoking in workplaces and enclosed public places.
Mr Blair said, ?there?s no doubt about the damage that smoking does and also I think for a lot of people who aren?t smokers they would prefer to be in an environment where there?s not smoking taking place.? The Prime Minister hinted that new powers may be given to local authorities to bring controls in their own areas: ?in the end though, you have also got to have some local decision-making in this.?
Action on secondhand smoke has been already backed by Northern Ireland?s major political parties, the Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly, and many local Councils including Liverpool and Manchester.
Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, UCF said, ?We are absolutely delighted that the Prime Minister has backed our call for action on smoking in the workplace. Passive smoking is a killer ? secondhand smoke contains 4,000 chemicals and in the workplace causes about 700 premature deaths every year.
?Ending smoking in workplaces and enclosed public places is the single most effective action the Government could do to protect non-smokers and encourage more smokers to quit.
?The UCF would prefer legislation by central government however new powers at a local level would be an important step in the right direction. We hope to see a clear proposal for legislation in the public health White Paper due this Autumn.?
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For further information please contact Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, UCF on 028 9066 3281 or 07880 504577
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