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UCF Highlights Public Support for Healthy Smokefree Workplaces
By Derval Keenan, 9/8/2004 12:03:30 PM
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The UCF who co-ordinate ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) in Northern Ireland has called on government to introduce healthy smokefree workplaces as a number one priority, following overwhelming public backing for a workplace smoking ban.
The most authoritative survey yet published about public attitudes on second-hand smoke shows overwhelming public support for a new law to end all smoking in the workplace - like those recently introduced in Ireland and Norway.
Four out of five (80%) of those polled support a law to ensure that all enclosed workplaces must be smokefree [2]. Of those who support smokefree laws, 64% want to see national legislation by Government, 21% prefer new powers for local Councils.
Some have suggested that smokefree legislation is a “middle class” concern, even though exposure in the workplace is highest among manual and semi-skilled occupations.
Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, Ulster Cancer Foundation said, “There are major differences in the health status between rich and poor. Rich people live longer and have a far better quality of life, in terms of illness, than poor people. Many factors are involved in determining this, however, tobacco is the major cause of health inequalities and is the principal cause of the gap in life expectancy between rich and poor.”
The MORI poll reveals that support for a smokefree workplace law is strong across all social classes:
· 86% of social class AB support the proposal
· 83% of social class C1 support the proposal
· 79% of social class C2 support the proposal
· 72% of social class DE support the proposal. [3]
Even regular smokers support a new law: the poll shows support from 59% of daily smokers and 68% of infrequent smokers. Supporters of all political parties are in favour.
Gerry McElwee added, “The introduction of healthy smokefree workplaces in the South of Ireland shows that the smoking ban is self-regulating because the vast majority of the public support it. The first evaluation of the implementation of the smoking ban in the Republic from the Office of Tobacco Control hailed it as a success, with 97% of inspected premises complying with the law. Smokers and non-smokers alike are now reaping the benefits of the ban as one in five smokers now choose not to smoke at all during their night out and more non-smokers are now socialising in pubs and restaurants.
“This poll shows overwhelming public support for healthy smokefree workplaces. This support includes smokers and non-smokers, every political party and all social classes.
“The poll sends the Government a clear message. The public wants action to end second-hand smoke at work. Second-hand smoke at work kills about 700 people in the UK every year and causes many thousands of asthma attacks and episodes of illness. A new law to protect employees and the public is long overdue. Nothing less than a clear proposal for a new law will do if the Government is serious about protecting non-smokers and helping smokers to quit.”
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For further information please contact Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, Ulster Cancer Foundation on 028 9066 3281 / 07880 504577
Notes to Editor:
[1] 4,060 interviews were conducted with residents in Great Britain between 15 years and older. Fieldwork was conducted on two waves of the MORI Omnibus – wave 14 (15th to 19th April) and wave 16 (29th April to 4th May).
[2] Asked “Ireland, Canada, Norway and New Zealand have each passed laws to ensure all enclosed workplaces are smoke free. How strongly, if at all, would you support or oppose a proposal to bring in a similar law in this country?”:
· 54% strongly support
· 25% tend to support
· 8% neither support nor oppose
· 7% tend to oppose
· 4% strongly oppose.
[3] Figures in this and following tables include those who “strongly support” and those who “tend to support” the proposition.
[4] Offered a list of public places where smoking might be ended by law:
· 96% support ending smoking in NHS hospitals and clinics
· 85% support ending smoking in enclosed shopping centres and shopping malls
· 79% support ending smoking in restaurants
· 78% support ending smoking in cafés
· 62% support ending smoking in major railway stations
· 49% support ending smoking in pubs and bars (35% opposed)
· 47% support ending smoking in nightclubs (32% opposed)
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