Media release: August 23, 2004
Health
and trade union leaders have welcomed the decision by the Tasmanian Liberal
Party to support a total indoor smoke ban in the state’s pubs and clubs by
January 2.
The
SmokeFree Australia coalition has called on all parties in all parliaments to
make early 2005 the national deadline for safely smokefree workplaces.
“There
is every good reason to end the illogical loopholes and get an effective total
ban in place now, rather than in two or three years’ time,” says Stafford
Sanders, co-ordinator of SmokeFree Australia.
“Further
delays will cost our communities lives, health and money.
“Immediate
bans have the overwhelming support of the community, of the workers affected, of
health and occupational safety experts. They are opposed only by the tobacco
industry and its close allies.
“Early
bans will also end anomalies in our occupational health and safety and
discrimination laws, and will reduce the likelihood of expensive lawsuits by
workers seriously harmed by smoky workplaces.”
Mr
Sanders called on parliaments to ensure that smoke bans are effectively
implemented, and that vested interests are not allowed to use loose definitions
of “enclosed” spaces to get around deadlines.
Comment:
Stafford Sanders, 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.