Media release and alert: 4 November 2002
“No
excuses, no exemptions.”
The
ACTU and Australian hospitality and entertainment unions have joined with public
health leaders in a demand for smoke-free pubs, clubs and casinos by the end of
2003.
The
coalition has today launched the “SmokeFree ‘03” campaign, calling for an
end to government delay over workplace smoking - as 25%-30% of workers are still
exposed to tobacco smoke toxins at work, despite nearly a decade of safety laws
requiring employers to provide safe workplaces.
“Every
worker has the right to breathe clean, safe, smokefree air – particularly
those most at risk in bars, clubs and casinos,” says Anne Jones, CEO of Action
on Smoking and Health (ASH) Australia. “The onus is on governments to protect
workers, as the hotel industry has been blocking smoking bans and lobbying
governments to delay action for nearly a decade.”
“Employees
in bars still spend up to eight hours a day in smoky venues,” says Tim
Ferrari, Assistant National Secretary of the LHMU, Australia’s largest
hospitality union. “We’ve clearly warned employers that they’re accruing a
legal liability, increasing daily, for those who will inevitably suffer illness
or death from unsafe work environments. All hospitality workers should be
protected from tobacco smoke toxins in enclosed workplaces – and banning
smoking is the only safe and effective way to achieve this.”
Terry
Noone, Federal Secretary of the Musicians’ Union of Australia, adds: “It’s
fitting that we’re launching this in the middle of AusMusic Week – since
Australian musicians are still being subjected to high levels of smoke exposure
in hospitality venues, threatening their health and harming their work.”
SmokeFree
‘03 is urging all Workplace Ministers to take action at their next joint
meeting on 8 November, to ensure
that all workplaces are smoke-free by the end of 2003
– a position supported by workplace
safety laws in every jurisdiction and the National Occupational Health and
Safety Commission.
The
union-health coalition will launch its campaign and web link
on Monday November 4 at
12.30pm at the NSW Cancer Council, Reception, Ground floor, 153 Dowling St,
Woolloomooloo, Sydney. Representatives of the campaign partners will be
available for media comment.
The
link, at www.ashaust.org.au/SF’03/index.htm
summarises:
latest
research evidence on passive smoking dangers and harm to Australian
hospitality workers;
over
30 studies showing bans are good for business; and
research
showing tobacco industry manipulation of hospitality organisations to delay
smoke bans by using dubious research and pushing ineffective ventilation
options.
Media
inquiries: Stafford
Sanders ph. (02)
9334-1823 or
staffords@ashaust.org.au
SmokeFree '03 coalition:
Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers' Union; Musicians' Union of
Australia;
Australian Council of Trade
Unions; Action on Smoking and Health Australia;
The Cancer Council Australia;
National Heart Foundation of Australia