TAKING ACTION FOR SMOKEFREE WORKPLACES 

ARE YOU BEING EXPOSED TO SECONDHAND SMOKE IN YOUR WORKPLACE? Call us NOW on (02) 9334-1823 

There are many ways in which you can make a difference in getting workplaces smokefree. 

Of Australian states and territories, all but NT have now set end-dates for smoke bans in atleast totally enclosed areas of licensed venues. 

But some states (ACT, Vic, NSW, SA, WA) need to be encouraged to make smokefree venues what they say, not undermined by partly-enclosed exemptions.  See  END THE UNHEALTHY LOOPHOLES

NSW
NSW has now banned smoking from totally enclosed areas of pubs and clubs - a welcome improvement.  However, smoking drags on in many areas of pubs and clubs - some of them mostly-enclosed and staffed. 
You can send emails or take other action to make the bans clear and complete:  go to  ASH Australia action email (NSW).   See also:

Why not seek a meeting with a relevant Minister or Shadow Minister or your local MP? Our latest Tobacco Facts for MPs NSW (Autumn 2006) on the call for quick and total indoor bans in NSW licensed venues is a good resource for taking to meetings with decision-makers. 

OTHER STATES AND TERRITORIES         See where the states/territories are up to with their laws

Similar bans to those in NSW are in place (from July '07) in Victoria, with the same need to separate smoking from working and eating areas - as they are in Queensland. Tasmania's laws are almost as good as those in Queensland. SA, WA and ACT have incomplete bans in place, and still need to effectively separate smoking from working areas. 

In the NT, the government has spoken of the need to make pubs and clubs smokefree but has set no deadline. Send them a message at  ASH action email (NT) - urge the Territory government to set a realistic early end-date and make the indoor bans total - not a messy partial fiasco. Emphasise recent health evidence.  

ALL JURISDICTIONS
Stress issues relevant to your local electorate, and the surveys showing strong public support for stronger control. Refer to research at our pages on health evidence and economic evidence; and get up-to-date information from our news page, for example on worldwide developments we should be following.  

You could also use this information to write a letter to your Premier, Chief Minister, Health Minister, minister responsible for Workcover/Worksafe (often the Commerce or Industrial Relations Minister) or local MP. Make the point that we want the indoor bans clear, total and quick - for the benefit of workers, patrons and proprietors alike. Public health and work safety should not be compromised. 




Political donations from tobacco interests

Political donations from tobacco companies and other groups opposed to smokefree workplaces all give large donations to the big political parties. See for example, roundup of NSW political donations on the NSW Greens website. MPs should be questioned and challenged about accepting funds from tobacco interests.


Using the media


You can write letters to newspapers (see ASH advice) or contribute to talkback radio programs.

Speak up about the rights of employees to work in safe smokefree workplaces. It’s a fundamental consumer right not to have something harmful imposed upon you by another person. Make yourself aware of the evidence – that passive smoke is harmful, that smoke bans won’t cause loss of business or jobs, and that the law and public support is on your side.  


Making a complaint

None of us likes to complain – and we shouldn’t have to, if all employers were doing their duty.
What action can you take if you are exposed to tobacco smoke toxins at work?

There are several actions to consider, including:

How to create a smokefree workplace

Australia: Going smokefree: workplace recommendations   
From the Cancer Council NSW - how to implement a smokefree workplace policy. 

US: Making your workplace smokefree: a decision-maker's guide 
From the US National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and health Promotion. Lots of very good background and tips, some of it a bit US-specific.



Encouraging compliance with smoke bans
See these tips for proprietors (from the US but equally relevant here). 

 

Back to  index