Media release: July 1, 2003
Gambling
treatment and referral services throughout NSW have joined with leading health
groups and trade unions in calling for smokefree gaming venues to improve
gamblers’ health and reduce hardship.
Trade
union and health groups have criticised delays in smokefree workplace
legislation as “putting greed for pokie profits ahead of the health of staff
and patrons.”
The
SmokeFree ’03 coalition says governments delaying legislation to make all
venues smokefree are endangering the health of workers and the public;
undermining safe workplace and anti-discrimination laws; and hurting hospitality
businesses by exposing them to legal risks and other costs, and by frustrating
attempts to establish a level playing field across the industry.
And
SmokeFree ’03 says smoking bans in gambling venues would improve the health of
gamblers and would reduce the particular hardships faced by problem gamblers who
smoke.
A
Relationships Australia study* has shown that smoking while gambling increases
nicotine intake, and that “… prohibition of
smoking in gaming areas could improve health outcomes for gamblers.”
And new research on gambling and smoking by the National Institute of Economics and Industry Research ** shows that smokers who play poker machines are more likely to face financial hardship - many finding themselves unable to pay bills or having to ask family, friends or charities for help.
Gambling
treatment and referral services that support smoking bans as part of a
responsible gambling policy include centres
from all over NSW - operated by the Chinese Youth League, Coastlife,
Creditline, Life Activities, Lifeline, the Multicultural Problem Gambling
Service, NSW Health Area Health Services, St David’s Uniting Care, St Vincent
de Paul, Wesley Gambling Services and Wesley Mission.
“With
public opinion solidly (64-76%) behind total smoke bans in gaming venues,***
we’re calling on governments to ensure that smoking bans are included
in responsible gambling policies,” says coalition spokesperson Stafford
Sanders. “Smokefree venues would help to protect the health of both staff and
gamblers, and to prevent additional hardship for problem gamblers.
“The
governments of SA, ACT and Tasmania appear to be moving strongly towards
smokefree venues – we’d like to see NSW follow suit without further
delay.”
*
Break Even Gambling Rehabilitation Service, Relationships Australia, to SA
Independent Gambling Authority Inquiry, 2002.
**
See Quit media release at www.ashaust.org.au/SF'03/files/ShepherdStudy03.htm
***
Latest Cancer Council NSW study (Walsh and Tzelepis, 2003) - see
www.ashaust.org.au/SF'03/releases/030604.htm
Comment:
Stafford Sanders,
SmokeFree ‘03
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