Media release: 4 June, 2003
Support
for smokefree pubs & clubs jumps nearly 20%
Review of more than 40 studies says
total bans “overdue”
Public
support for total smoke bans in pubs, clubs and gaming areas has grown by almost
20% to a clear majority in the last decade, says a major review* published today
– and it calls for governments to legislate “immediately” for total bans.
The
authors warn against further delays, reporting that “government action to ban
smoking in all hospitality venues is overdue” and that “in the face of
majority community support for bans, politicians can no longer argue more time
for discussion is needed.”
The
review, by the Cancer Council NSW’s Centre for Health Research and
Psycho-oncology, examined more than forty studies of community and hospitality
staff attitudes since 1993. It found:
All
surveys since 2000 show majority support (52-68%) for total smoke bans in
bars.
All
surveys since 2000 show majority support (64-76%) in gaming areas.
Support
for total bans in licensed premises has increased by 20% in the last decade.
Support
increased significantly after the passive smoking damages award to former
club hospitality employee Marlene Sharp in Sharp vs Port Kembla RSL Pty Ltd.
Says
SmokeFree ’03 coalition spokesperson Anne Jones: “As second-hand smoke can
cause cancer and respiratory illnesses, bar and club employees must be given the
same rights as others to breathe clean air in their own workplaces.
“There
is overwhelming evidence that second-hand smoke causes serious health harm –
to the community generally and to hospitality workers in particular; and now we
have more evidence that the
community wants legislation to make all licensed venues smokefree.”
The
SmokeFree 03 coalition says a deadline is well overdue, workers and patrons both
looking to government to ensure that this preventable harm to their health is
about to end.
*
Walsh, RA and Tzelepis, F, “Support for smoking restrictions in bars and
gaming areas: review of Australian
studies” in Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, June
2003
Comment:
Anne Jones, ASH Australia
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;
Non-Smokers' Movement of Australia