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 at least 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
Cancer Council NSW calls for smokefree dining and drinking

3/6/10:  The Cancer Council NSW has launched a campaign encouraging the NSW government to take action in five key areas of cancer prevention - including smokefree dining and drinking. The Cancer Council (whose national office is a SmokeFree Australia partner), under the title "Saving life: why wouldn't you?", has urged the state government to legislate to make all public dining areas where food is served, and all licensed working areas including current part-enclosed drinking areas, 100% smokefree. 
See the  campaign and how to take action       
Send emails to NSW political leaders calling for smokefree venues  here 

See also:

Why not seek a meeting with a relevant Minister or Shadow Minister or your local MP? Search our webpages for background - especially END THE UNHEALTHY LOOPHOLES

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

Queensland
has the most comprehensive laws to protect people in workplaces and public places from secondhand smoke. 
ACT
and NT also have smokefree laws covering staffed eating and drinking areas on the way. 
WA and Tasmania have partial legislation with exemptions for a percentage of outdoor eating/drinking areas.
NSW, Victoria and SA have little protection in part-enclosed and outdoor working areas, with NSW the weakest because of allowing these areas to be filled with gaming machines and become even more crowded and intensively staffed.

 

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. Work safety authorities should treat secondhand smoke like other high-level human carcinogens and toxins are treated - banished from all working areas. 




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-related interests - including those in hospitality and gaming.


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). 

 

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