Media release: October 12, 2004
Health
and trade union groups have welcomed a long awaited for decision by the NSW and
Victorian governments to introduce a total ban on indoor smoking in pubs and
clubs – but warn the long delay until mid-2007 will cause avoidable injuries
and claims as hospitality workers will continue to be exposed to toxic
secondhand smoke for another three years.
Says
Stafford Sanders, co-ordinator of the SmokeFree Australia coalition*:
“We are relieved that a deadline has at long last been announced, but
bar workers will continue to suffer deadly diseases from secondhand smoke for
three more years.
“Tasmania
will have total indoor bans in place by January 2006, Queensland by mid-2006 and
the ACT by end-2006. The larger states should not be lagging behind these dates.
“The
consequence of three more years’ delay will be many more deaths and illnesses
of bar workers from secondhand
smoke exposure in their workplaces. We are committed to exploring legal avenues
to ensure that WorkCover authorities do their job of protecting workers from
unsafe workplaces under occupational health laws.
“The
Australian Hotels Association, club and casino organisations, having used their
clout for more than ten years to delay and water down these measures, have now
gained another three years – at the expense of work safety and public health.
“Research
shows partial bans are ineffective, which is why total bans have been introduced
earlier by other states.”
SmokeFree
Australia has called for both NSW and Victoria to take care in their legislation
to ensure that venues do not avoid the deadline by maintaining smoking in
partly-enclosed rooms.
“The
legislation should specify, as it has in Queensland, that smoking will not be
allowed in any area attached to the business in which food or drinks are
served,” says Stafford Sanders. “Smoking should only be allowed
in designated outdoor areas where staff are not working.
“We
urge all venues to protect their staff and patrons by going totally indoor-smokefree
before the deadline – both in Australia and overseas, objective evidence shows
they have increased profits by doing so.”
Comment:
Stafford Sanders, SmokeFree
Australia
ph. (02) 9334-1823; (m)
0412-070-194
Terry Noone, Musicians’ Union
(m) 0409-405-657
Anne Jones, ASH Australia
(m) 0417-227-879
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.