|
|
|
UCF Delighted at Announcement for Smokefree Scotland
By Eilish Martin, 1/4/2005 2:12:39 PM
|
The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) has congratulated the Scottish Executive, which has shown political courage in announcing new legislation to make Scottish public places smokefree.
Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, UCF said,?” Today?’s decision puts Scotland at the head of a growing international movement to control the damage tobacco does to health and it is now time for the UK Government and NIO to follow that example. The latest report of the Government?’s Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health (SCOTH) confirms that exposure to other people?’s smoke increases non-smokers risk of both lung cancer and ischaemic heart disease by approximately one quarter.
?“However government surveys show that 10.7 million people still work in places where smoking is permitted on the premises, and 2.2 million in places where smoking is allowed throughout. Deaths in the pub trade alone from tobacco smoke pollution are estimated at one a week, an unacceptable cost of working in this industry.
?”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. 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 NIO, Secretary of State and Health Minister must act decisively in introducing laws that will protect the health of employees and customers from cancer causing substances in the workplace.
The bold and successful actions, taken by our colleagues in the South and Scotland have been influential and tremendously helpful in UCF?’s campaigning to introduce smokefree workplaces in Northern Ireland. It is time for UK and NI ministers to show the same determination as their Scottish colleagues.
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. 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 Public Health White Paper.
Gerry continued, ?“To date 64 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 may be our last chance to influence this vital piece of policy.?”
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
-ends-
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
|
|
|
