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UCF Steps Up Campaign for Healthy Smokefree Workplaces
By Derval Keenan, 11/29/2004 10:34:12 AM
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The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) is demanding that local MP’s support a new Early Day Motion (EDM, 1738), which calls for the Government to include smokefree legislation in the forthcoming ‘Smoking in Workplaces and the Public Health White Paper’.
This EDM highlights that the medical and scientific evidence of the dangers of exposure to secondhand smoke in the workplace is now overwhelming, potentially causing more than 700 premature deaths a year and increasing non-smokers' risk of both lung cancer and ischaemic heart disease by approximately one quarter.
Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, UCF, said, “The evidence on the health effects of passive smoking is clear and consistent. Passive smoking is a substantial risk to health and no one should be exposed to it. It causes lung cancer, heart disease and a range of childhood illnesses including asthma. Government has a duty to protect employees and customers from lethal substances in the workplace.
“To date 63 MP’s have signed this EDM with only 4 local MP’s lending their support. We have met our local MP’s at party conferences and they have said that they support our campaign to introduce healthy smokefree workplaces in Northern Ireland. We demand their signatures of support urgently as this is our last chance to influence this vital piece of legislation.”
UCF are encouraging our local politicians to ensure that the rights of workers, here in the North, are safeguarded in the same way as employees in the Republic, where legislation is working well.
Gerry continued, “The vast majority of Northern Ireland’s population (74%) are non-smokers and there is significant support for a policy to be implemented in all working environments for the health of staff and their customers. 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.
“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.
“Currently individual employers are obliged to address this issue in their own setting. In the UK the voluntary approach has left at least two million people still working in places where smoking is allowed throughout and at least another 10 million in places where smoking is allowed somewhere on the premises. Central government needs to take its responsibility seriously with no half measures. It is ludicrous to suggest that some employees should be protected, while others in the hospitality industry continue to be exposed to carcinogenic substances.”
If you would like a copy of the Ulster Cancer Foundation’s new leaflet ‘For a Smoke-free Environment - Passive smoking damages your health’ please call UCF on 028 9049 2007 or for further information on UCF’s smoking cessation services log onto ulstercancer.org
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For further information please contact Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, Ulster Cancer Foundation on 028 9049 2007 or 07880 504577 or Derval Keenan, PR Officer, Ulster Cancer Foundation
on 028 9049 2007 / 07812 525531
Notes to Editors:
- Smoking is the largest single cause of preventable death and ill health in our society today, killing 2,800 people in Northern Ireland every year.
- UCF has a variety of support services available including a smoking cessation support service to help people successfully give up which meets confidentially at The Malone Lodge Hotel, Eglantine Avenue, Belfast, every Wednesday evening at 7pm.
- UCF offer a comprehensive training portfolio for professionals.
- UCF, supported by the Eastern Health and Social Services Board, also run a free smoking cessation service to help people stop smoking. This service brings UCF into the heart of the community providing weekly smoking advice clinics in leisure centres, community centres and workplaces, at a time convenient to smokers who want to give up. For further information on UCF’s Smoking Cessation Clinics or groups please contact Bernie Neeson on 028 9049 2007.
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