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SMOKEFREE WORKPLACE NEWS |
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inquiries:
Stafford Sanders
Ph. (02) 9334-1823
m. 0412-070-194 email staffords@ashaust.org.au
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STOP PRESS
SMOKEFREE AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASES
NATIONAL NEWS
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
See latest Australian and overseas...
HEALTH RESEARCH
ECONOMIC RESEARCH
EFFECTS of
smokefree laws
LEGISLATION
Study
links low-level exposure to alteration of gene function in the lungs
August 2010: Individuals exposed to even low levels of tobacco smoke may be at
increased risk for developing lung diseases, says study of biological changes
from low exposure in American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care
Medicine. See abstract
Tobacco strongly linked with female reproductive harm
August 2010: Major US/Canadian review for Critical Reviews in Toxicology of worldwide research evidence on tobacco and other substances’ impacts on female fertility and reproduction finds tobacco (unlike other lifestyle factors) "strongly associated with adverse reproductive outcomes". Recommends that "women desiring conception should be advised to avoid exposure to both primary and passive smoking." See abstract
Hobart
malls go smokefree
August 2010: Three major pedestrian
malls in Hobart are smokefree from August 1, thanks to Hobart City
Council. See Hobart
City Council media release 1/8/10 The
move was backed by very strong community and business support.
See
ABC
news report 2/12/09
Smokefree Parramatta alfrescoes
will be healthy, popular, good for trade
July 2010: Parramatta City Council has
adopted a 100% smokefree alfresco dining licences policy - the 19th NSW council
to do so. SmokeFree Australia has welcomed the decision as a victory for safe
workplaces and protection of staff and patrons, including children. See
SmokeFree
Australia media release 27/7/10
THINK SMOKEFREE PUBS AND CLUBS HAVE BEEN
WON? THINK AGAIN!
In some Australian states and territories, weak smokefree laws are being
rorted - at the expense of public health and work safety.
WHAT STILL NEEDS FIXING
ARE YOU BEING EXPOSED TO SECONDHAND SMOKE IN YOUR WORKPLACE? Call us NOW on (02) 9334-1823 and see Taking Action
Other
smokefree news from Australia and the world:
Call for full protection of
pregnant women from secondhand smoke after studies show foetal harm
2010: Health and child welfare groups made an urgent call for dining and
drinking areas and other workplaces to be made smokefree after a major international review of
studies on impact of passive smoking on pregnancy confirmed it causes lower
birthweight and increased birth abnormalities. See
ASH / Protecting
Children from tobacco media release 12/2/10 and review
abstract
Beware
smoke drift: indoor bans still leave workers, patrons exposed
2010: Australian air quality study in pubs and bars found smoke
drifting from adjacent outdoor smoking areas to adjacent indoor areas
compromises health results, some "smokefree" areas significantly
contaminated by smoke drift. See
study
abstract
Qld is top state for
protecting workers from tobacco poisons
2009: SmokeFree Australia announced its end-2009
prizes for jurisdictions best protecting all
people from toxic, carcinogenic tobacco smoke contamination. Queensland is top
of the table, with ACT, WA and NT showing most improvement... and NSW most
needing it. See SmokeFree
Australia media release 16/12/09
Federal report recommends tighter laws to make workplaces smokefree
2009: Preventative Health Taskforce report to Rudd Government on measures to prevent chronic disease
recommends tighter laws to make all workplaces 100% smokefree. Report says smokefree working areas should include indoor and outdoor areas of
hotels and restaurants, near building entrances, and work vehicles. See
p. 183 of Preventative
Health Taskforce report: tobacco chapter
and SmokeFree
Aust release 15/8/08 with air quality survey link
Call to end smoky workplace
"exemption" from work safety laws
2009: SmokeFree Australia has told
the National Work Safety Summit in Brisbane that secondhand smoke in workplaces
is operating as a "de facto exemption" from OHS rights and duties, and
that stronger measures are needed to protect workers from serious health
harm. See SmokeFree
Australia media release 27/8/09
Tobacco sponsorship of hotels conference "offensive"
2009: Tobacco company sponsorship of
the national Australian Hotels Association convention is offensive to workers
threatened daily by secondhand smoke in their workplaces, says the LHMU hospitality
union (a member of SmokeFree Australia). The union says the AHA's acceptance of British
American Tobacco sponsorship of the event is a "slap in the face" for
employees facing secondhand smoke hazards in pubs. See
LHMU
media release 15/7/09
Call for end to smoky High Roller room "deathtraps"
2009: SmokeFree Australia called on all
governments to end smokefree exemptions for "high roller" gaming rooms
- "deathtraps" in conflict with international law and
OH&S. The call followed NSW government's renewal of annual exemption for
Sydney Star City Casino high roller room. See
SmokeFree
Australia media release 18/6/09
40% of quitters say smokefree bars and clubs
helped
2008: 4 of every 10 people who quit smoking say smokefree changes in pubs and
clubs have helped them do it, says new research from the Cancer Council
Victoria. For smokers under 30, the rate was even higher: 45%. See
Cancer
Council Victoria media release 30/6/08
AUSTRALIA: STATES AND
TERRITORIES
See update on State and Territory deadlines and
legislation at our Australian
Law page
ACT:
ACT dining and drinking areas to be smokefree
2009: The ACT Assembly has passed new laws making all public eating and drinking areas 100% smokefree, however enclosed or otherwise, by the end of 2010. Children's events will also be smokefree.
See ABC
News report 8/12/09 Welcomed when first announced
by SmokeFree
Australia media release 2/6/09
NSW:
Smokefree Parramatta alfrescoes
will be healthy, popular, good for trade
July 2010: Parramatta City Council has
adopted a 100% smokefree alfresco dining licences policy - the 19th NSW council
to do so. SmokeFree Australia has welcomed the decision as a victory for safe
workplaces and protection of staff and patrons, including children. See
SmokeFree
Australia media release 27/7/10
Cancer Council NSW calls for
smokefree dining and drinking
2010: 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
June 2010 and how to take action
Weak NSW smokefree laws may be fuelling
female binge smoking
2009:
A high rate of young female "binge" smoking in NSW is linked with
drinking and socialising, says a NSW Cancer Institute study. See
CancerInstitute
NSW media release 29/7/09
SmokeFree Australia coalition member ASH
Australia has commented that the weekly "social smoke" may be linked
with weak NSW smokefree laws.
NT:
Government acts to get smoke out of
workers' faces
2010: Totally enclosed areas of
Northern Territory pubs and clubs are now smokefree by law - and the NT
government has promised to make outdoor staffed eating and drinking areas
smokefree by Jan 2011. Licensed venues will be
able to designate up to 50% of their outdoor space as smoking areas - but with no meals consumed, no drinks service, no gambling and no live
entertainment. A government consultative taskforce is working on the
details. ASH Australia
Qld:
Queensland moves for national ban on high roller smoking
2008: The Queensland government has flagged a
move for a nationwide ban on smoking in "high roller" gaming rooms.
These rooms, exempt from smokefree workplace laws in some states and
territories, pose a serious health risk to gaming room employees and patrons. See
Qld
Premier/Minister media release 26/5/08 See WHAT
STILL NEEDS FIXING
SA:
One year on: smokefree bars backed by public, smokers, managers
2008: A year after taking effect, South
Australia's law making totally enclosed areas of pubs and clubs smokefree has over 90%
public support, 86% of bar managers and 72% of smokers. Cancer Council / SA government
survey also shows high business compliance. See SA
government media release 1/11/08
Tas:
Smokefree laws have "no impact" on
Tasmanian bar trade
2009: A study of hospitality trade in
Tasmanian pubs and clubs from 2002 to 2007 shows that smokefree licensed venue
laws introduced in January 2006 "protects hospitality workers and patrons
from exposure to second-hand smoke and has had no adverse effect on sales
turnover." See study
in Tobacco Control journal
Vic:
Calls for smokefree gambling
stepped up after casino cancer claim
2010: Calls for all gaming
areas to be made 100% smokefree have been renewed after a cancer compensation claim from an
employee of Melbourne's Crown Casino. Loopholes in smokefree laws allow smoking
in enclosed and heavily staffed "high roller" /
"premium" gaming rooms in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA and
NT. The 38-year-old non-smoking staffer is understood to be seriously
ill with lung cancer, which can be caused by secondhand smoke. See
report in Melbourne
Age
WA:
Study confirms unsafe exposure in smoky alfrescoes
2009: A study of air quality in outdoor dining areas of 12 Perth cafes and
16 pubs has confirmed smoke particles at average levels double recommended
exposure limits. The study, by SmokeFree Australia partner organisation ACOSH,
found exposure levels caused by just two people smoking are a health risk -
especially to children and people with heart or respiratory
conditions. See full
study
Smokefree workplace bill passes
2009: Major bill to reform WA tobacco laws - including smokefree
workplaces - was proclaimed. The law will protect employees and public health by making
unlicensed al fresco dining areas, and 50% of licensed al
frescoes, smokefree by Sept 2010; and strengthening
rights of employees to refuse to work in smoking areas. See
WA
bill and explanation under T: "Tobacco...2008"
INTERNATIONAL NEWS See World
Summary March 2005
World:
Smokefree public places laws cut heart attacks
even where other workplaces already smokeless
June 2010: Another study has shown
smokefree laws cut heart attack hospital admissions, even where other workplace
smoking restrictions were already in place. A University of Bath, UK study
showed, even after careful control of other variables, "important
public-health benefits" from the clean air laws. See
the study
Smokefree laws can cut child
smoke exposure by 40%
June 2010: Smokefree laws cut tobacco smoke
exposure levels in children and youths from smokefree homes by around 40%, says
new research in Pediatrics journal. The US study analysed data from more
than 11,000 non-smoking children and youths aged 3-19. Results suggest
"smoke-free laws are an effective strategy for reducing cotinine [nicotine
monitor] in youth without home SHS exposure..." See
abstract
Smokefree laws are
effective: worldwide review
2010: Global
review from Cochrane Collaboration finds smokefree laws have achieved their main
aim of reducing secondhand smoke exposure - especially for hospitality staff. The
50-study review on effects of clean air laws on
countries, states and localities also found they cut hospital
admissions for heart attacks; reduce tobacco consumption; and win rising public
support. Authors conclude: "Governments
around the world have the responsibility to protect their citizens from the
dangers of secondhand smoke by enacting comprehensive smoke-free laws that
include all workplaces and public places, including restaurants and
bars." See full
review
Exposure to secondhand smoke
increases TB risk
2010: Exposure to secondhand smoke
increases the risk of tuberculosis in older women by 50%, says a study from
Hong Kong of women aged 65-74. See
Reuters
report Australia's
incidence of TB only about 700 cases a year but strongly related to
disadvantage - indigenous rate about 8 x higher than non-indigenous. See
Australian
Health Dept background on TB
Smoke exposure at work
boosts asthma rate in young adults by 40%
2009: Exposure to secondhand smoke contamination in the workplace in the 1970
and 80s led to a 40% increase in asthma in young adults, says a study presented
to the British Thoracic Society. Authors say the research "highlights how
important it was to ban smoking in workplaces". See
report in Medical
News Today 6/12/09
Major report confirms: smokefree laws cut heart attacks
2009: Major report confirms secondhand smoke causes heart
attacks; even brief exposure can cause them; smokefree laws reduce
them. Report conducted by US Institute of Medicine (IOM) for Centers for Disease Control. See
report and summary
See also web feature at CDC
site on cardiovascular effects of SHS exposure, and CDC's
media statement on IOM Report Smokefree Australia
calls for all workplaces and crowded public places to be 100% smokefree after
other new studies show smokefree public places laws have significantly cut heart
attacks in Europe and North America. See BBC
report 21/9/09
Secondhand
exposure at work increases pancreatic cancer risk
2009: Tobacco smoke exposure in the
workplace raises the risk of pancreatic cancer by over 50%, says a study in the
International Journal of Cancer. The study tracked almost half a million
Europeans over an average 9 years and found that exposure to secondhand smoke
"is associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer". See
abstract
Low
levels of secondhand smoke increase heart death risk
2009: Data from over a million adults show even low levels of
secondhand smoke increase heart and vascular death risk by average 16% and as much as 32%.
US study in Circulation journal concludes: "Relatively low
levels of fine particulate exposure from.... secondhand cigarette smoke are
sufficient to induce adverse biological responses increasing the risk of
cardiovascular disease mortality." See
study
abstract
Canada:
Hospital admissions fall
after smokefree places laws: more evidence
12/4/10: Hospital admissions for
cardiovascular and respiratory disease have dropped by a third since smokefree
laws were introduced, says a study in Toronto, Canada. It's the latest in a long
line of studies showing health - and budgetary - benefits from smokefree
laws. See study
abstract
Outdoor smoking areas a risk to workers'
hearts: study
2009: Hospitality workers at
increased risk of cardiovascular harm from secondhand smoke in outdoor smoking
areas of licensed venues, says air quality survey of 25
Irish Republic:
Smokefree
Irish
pubs help cut pregnant smoking, premature births
2009: Smokefree
workplace laws introduced in the
Italy:
Tobacco sales fall after smoke ban
2006: Italian cigarette sales have fallen
more than 10% in the year since the January 2005 ban on smoking in bars and
other public places, according to the tobacco vendors' trade association,
Assotabaccai. See report in Bloomberg
News, 5/1/06
NZ:
Health hazard in partly-enclosed pub smoking areas
2007: Another study has shown
partly-enclosed "outdoor" smoking areas are a health hazard to workers
and patrons. The NZ study shows smoke
levels in these areas up to four times WHO-recommended safe levels. SmokeFree
Australia has called for separation of smoking from
working (including eating and gaming) areas. See
SmokeFree
Australia media release 15/9/07
Sweden:
Workers healthier in smokefree Swedish bars
2007: One year after smokefree workplace
changes, Swedish bar and restaurant workers are much less exposed to secondhand
smoke and are showing significant health improvements, says a new study from the
country's National Institute of Public Health. See
summary
and contact
Thailand:
Widespread indoor and outdoor public places to be smokefree
2010:
Thai government made 100% smokefree by law indoor areas of educational centres, banks, religious places,
sports complexes, offices and non air-conditioned eating places, plus outdoor public
places including parks and hospitals, from June 2010 -to fulfil obligation to WHO Framework
Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to protect all from secondhand smoke. Action on Smoking and
Health Foundation, Bangkok, Thailand
UK:
UK smokefree law did not lead to more child smoke exposure at home:
study
2009: Smokefree
pubs laws
in Wales have not led to children being exposed to more smoking at home. Cardiff University study of 3,500 schoolchildren
found minimal change in
smoke exposure after enclosed areas went smokefree in
England, Northern Ireland and Wales in 2007. Confirms similar findings in Irish
Republic; nails tobacco industry myth that smokefree pubs would make more people
smoke at home. See
BBC
report 25/11/09 and study
abstract
USA:
Smokefree laws can cut child smoke
exposure by 40%
2010: Smokefree laws cut tobacco smoke
exposure levels in children and youths from smokefree homes by around 40%, says
new research in Pediatrics journal. The US study analysed data from more
than 11,000 non-smoking children and youths aged 3-19. Results suggest
"smoke-free laws are an effective strategy for reducing cotinine [nicotine
monitor] in youth without home SHS exposure..." See
abstract
Low
levels of secondhand smoke increase heart death risk
2009: Data drawn from over a million adults show even low levels of
secondhand smoke increase heart and vascular death risk by average 16% and as much as
32%. US study in Circulation journal concludes: "Relatively low
levels of fine particulate exposure from.... secondhand cigarette smoke are
sufficient to induce adverse biological responses increasing the risk of
cardiovascular disease mortality." See
study
abstract
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