Media release: 16 October, 2003
A
new guidance note on smoky workplaces issued today by the National Occupational
Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) sends a clear message to states and
territories and to all employers: second-hand smoke in workplaces is illegal and
should be banned immediately.
The
NOHSC’s Guidance Note on the Elimination of Environmental Tobacco Smoke in the
Workplace*, endorsed yesterday, recommends that exposure to it should be
excluded in all Australian workplaces and this exclusion should be implemented
as soon as possible.
The
SmokeFree ’03 coalition of trade union and health groups has welcomed the
decision, saying it was absurd that tobacco smoke had been tolerated in pubs and
clubs despite clear evidence of health harm to hospitality industry workers.
Says
SmokeFree ’03 spokesperson Richard Marles (also a member of NOHSC and
Assistant Secretary of the ACTU):
“Second-hand
tobacco smoke in workplaces, including licensed venues, causes serious health
harm to workers and the public. NOHSC has accepted research findings that the
problem of secondhand smoke is not adequately dealt with by ventilation or by
separate ‘no-smoking’ areas, and that the only solution is total indoor
smoking bans.
“NOHSC
has reached the quite unavoidable conclusion that the continued existence of
smoky workplaces is inconsistent with occupational health and safety laws.”
The
Guidance Note has been endorsed by representatives of commonwealth, state and
territory governments. It calls for total indoor smoke bans in all workplaces to
be introduced quickly across all jurisdictions.
“Our
coalition now calls upon all state and territory governments to move quickly to
establish totally smokefree workplaces,” says Richard Marles. “Any further
delay will be rightly seen as dangerous and irresponsible.”
* See the NOHSC Guidance Note
Comment:
Richard Marles, ACTU ph.
(03)
9664-7340
Media
info/comment:
Stafford Sanders. ASH
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; Australian Medical
Association.