Media release: August 1, 2003
Health, union groups urge states: end smokefree exemptions
Health
and trade union groups are urging Australian state and territory governments to
end smokefree workplace exemptions immediately, following new research
confirming passive smoke causes emphysema.
A
new study from Pisa, Italy, published in the American Journal of Physiology,*
illuminates the way in which smoke from workplace or social settings can trigger
the debilitating, potentially fatal disease.
Both
in Australia and internationally, emphysema (or COPD) is the only major cause of
death and disability that is increasing. It’s estimated to affect about 5% of
older Australians.
Says
Dr Matthew Peters, thoracic physician and Chairman of ASH Australia: “It has
long been known that cigarette smoke is the major cause of pulmonary emphysema.
This study goes a long way to explaining how it happens.
“The
toxic products present in cigarette smoke, including some of those which
so-called passive smokers might inhale, causes DNA damage and kills cells that
are critical in the maintenance of healthy lung structure. It is the loss of
normal lung structure that causes death and disability from emphysema. The
exposure to toxic products is likely to be greatest where multiple smokers
gather together, such as in pubs and clubs where smoking is still allowed. They
and the workers who serve them are at real risk.”
The
SmokeFree ‘03 coalition has made submissions this year to South Australian and
ACT reviews of smokefree places legislation. Says ASH Australia spokesperson
Stafford Sanders: “This study emphasises how urgent it is that all Australian
states and territories act decisively to end exemptions to their smokefree
public places laws.
“The
continued presence of tobacco smoke in pubs and clubs, in particular, poses a
serious threat to the health of patrons, and especially of staff who work in
these places day after day,” he says. “Passive smoke is known to cause
cancer, heart and lung disease and has been shown to cause immediate health
damage to hospitality workers.
“Allowing
this situation to continue will cause unnecessary death and disease and will
expose proprietors to the likelihood of legal action. It also undermines
existing occupational health and safety laws and anti-discrimination laws.”
Carnevali,
S et al, “Cigarette smoke extract induces oxidative stress and apoptosis in
human lung fibroblasts” in Am J Physiology – Lung, Cellular and Molecular
Physiology, June 2003, 284(6):L955-L963
Comment:
Dr Matthew Peters
ph. 0407-499-440
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