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13/10/2004
Government's 'failure' to create smoke-free workplaces slammed
Doctors meeting in Edinburgh for the BMA's UK Council today have condemned the "failure of the government" in delaying a ban on smoking in UK workplaces.
The BMA Council welcomed developments in the Republic of Ireland and Norway, but expressed concern at delays by the UK and devolved governments to introduce laws to protect the public health.
Speaking at the meeting Dr Peter Maguire, a consultant anaesthetist from Northern Ireland and proposer of the emergency motion, said the "dreadful situation" of the UK workplace today meant that more than three million workers are regularly exposed to secondary environmental tobacco smoke in the workplace.
"International evidence has shown that legislation, as part of a wider strategy, is effective in protecting the health of non-smokers and in reducing the number of people who smoke," he said.
"The evidence is absolutely incontrovertible that passive smoking kills and smoke-free workplaces save lives."
Smoking is the single biggest cause of preventable death in the UK – and every year, 1,000 people die from the effects of secondhand smoke.
In the six months since legislation was introduced in Ireland, 96% of pubs are smoke-free and more than 7,000 smokers have quit.
James Johnson, BMA Chairman, said: "The BMA has been calling for a ban for almost 20 years. In that time, thousands of people have died because governments of all political persuasions have not had the courage to act on this issue. The question is, do today's leaders of the four nations have the guts to follow Ireland's lead and make enclosed public places smoke-free?"
(gmcg)
The BMA Council welcomed developments in the Republic of Ireland and Norway, but expressed concern at delays by the UK and devolved governments to introduce laws to protect the public health.
Speaking at the meeting Dr Peter Maguire, a consultant anaesthetist from Northern Ireland and proposer of the emergency motion, said the "dreadful situation" of the UK workplace today meant that more than three million workers are regularly exposed to secondary environmental tobacco smoke in the workplace.
"International evidence has shown that legislation, as part of a wider strategy, is effective in protecting the health of non-smokers and in reducing the number of people who smoke," he said.
"The evidence is absolutely incontrovertible that passive smoking kills and smoke-free workplaces save lives."
Smoking is the single biggest cause of preventable death in the UK – and every year, 1,000 people die from the effects of secondhand smoke.
In the six months since legislation was introduced in Ireland, 96% of pubs are smoke-free and more than 7,000 smokers have quit.
James Johnson, BMA Chairman, said: "The BMA has been calling for a ban for almost 20 years. In that time, thousands of people have died because governments of all political persuasions have not had the courage to act on this issue. The question is, do today's leaders of the four nations have the guts to follow Ireland's lead and make enclosed public places smoke-free?"
(gmcg)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly dry day, rather cloudy, but some sunny spells, best of these in the afternoon. A few showers spread south from late morning, turning wintry in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 5 °C.Tonight:A cold evening and night with a frost. It will be largely dry, but a few wintry showers towards the north coast overnight. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
