Media release: April 13, 2003
Trade
union and health groups have urged pubs, clubs and gaming venues to act quickly
to protect employees and patrons from the dangers of passive smoke.
The
SmokeFree ’03 coalition – including the ACTU, hospitality and entertainment
unions and leading health organisations – has called for decisive action by
the hospitality industry and governments to ensure all indoor venues are
smokefree by the end of 2003.
The
coalition joined with Queensland health groups in a rally today outside the
Hospitality Expo in Brisbane to push for legislation and policies to benefit the
health of staff and patrons.
Says
coalition spokesperson Anne Jones of ASH Australia: “Governments backing away from smoke bans are gambling with
the health of staff and patrons. They are discriminating against hospitality
workers in subjecting them to continued harmful smoke exposure; as well as
against pregnant women and people with heart, respiratory and other disabilities
currently unable to enter smoky venues.
“Some
clubs and pubs are exploiting smokers who gamble,” says Anne Jones, “by
trying to keep them at the machines as long as possible without having to go
outside to smoke.
“Second-hand
smoke is a proven carcinogen and can cause ‘second hand’ cancer or heart
disease.
“All
independent, objective studies from Australia and overseas show that overall,
venues will not lose trade from smoke bans,” she says. “In fact, many will
gain business – because 80% of
the population don’t smoke, and many are deterred by smoky venues.
“Any
loss of gambling revenue is likely to be neutralised by governments acting
decisively to establish a smokefree ‘level playing field’ across all states
and territories and all venues.
“Venues
failing to meet their legal responsibility to staff and customers will find
themselves increasingly subjected to expensive legal actions from people harmed
by their policies.”
See
new fact sheet, “Tobacco Facts for Pubs and Clubs” from SmokeFree ’03 at www.ashaust.org.au/pdfs/TfacPubs0304.pdf
and other news at www.ashaust.org.au/SF’03/news.htm.
*
Break Even Gambling Rehabilitation Service, Relationships Australia, submitted
to Independent Gambling Authority Inquiry, South Australia, 2002.
Comment:
Anne
Jones, ASH ph.
(0417) 227-879
Media info:
Stafford Sanders
ph. (02) 9334-1823
SmokeFree '03 coalition:
Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers' Union; Musicians' Union of
Australia;
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance; Australian Council of Trade
Unions;
Action on Smoking and Health Australia; The Cancer Council Australia;
National Heart Foundation of Australia; Australian Council on Smoking and Health