Media release: August 5, 2004
Hospitality
trade unions and leading health groups have called on Queensland’s Beattie
government to protect bar workers and public health by implementing total indoor
smoke bans in all workplaces – including pubs and clubs.
The
SmokeFree Australia national coalition – including the ACTU, AMA and other
health groups, bar workers and entertainers’ unions – has joined Queensland
trade union and health leaders in calling for the bans to be put into effect
within three months.
“Further
delay is both unnecessary and dangerous”, says coalition co-ordinator Stafford
Sanders. “We know secondhand smoke is dangerous – containing more than 130
toxic compounds, including more than 40 known carcinogens; and we know it is
already killing bar workers in significant numbers.
See
studies at www.ashaust.org.au/SF'03/health.htm
“We
also know the community overwhelmingly supports immediate and total indoor bans.
They’ve been a great success worldwide, yielding immediate health
improvements, causing no loss of business, and helping drive smoking rates down
- especially among young people. Several countries including Ireland and New
Zealand, and seven US states, have legislated total bans – why not Queensland?
“Any
more delay will lead to unnecessary loss of life and disease suffered by both
workers and patrons. With the evidence of harm to workers now well beyond doubt,
proprietors can no longer claim any level of ignorance – venues continuing to
allow indoor smoking are accruing a terrifying level of legal liability. There
will be some very expensive lawsuits from bar workers and their families who are
harmed by workplaces allowing an unsafe level of indoor tobacco smoke exposure
– and that’s pretty much any level.
“We
need to be clear that the legal duty of care of employers to provide a safe
workplace is very strong – and not overridden by other laws.”
“The Beattie government now needs to show that it puts worker and public health ahead of short-term gaming revenue considerations.”
See the
SmokeFree Australia submission to the Queensland smokefree places review at www.ashaust.org.au/SF’03/files/QldSubm0407.doc
Comment:
Stafford Sanders, co-ordinator,
SmokeFree Australia
ph. (02) 9334-1823
SmokeFree Australia coalition
for clean safe workplaces:
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.