Media release: May 25, 2005
New report warns passive smoke almost as harmful as smoking
The
Victorian and NSW governments have been warned to tighten their “smokefree”
pubs and clubs bills – or leave staff and patrons facing almost as much harm
as if they were smokers.
Bar
workers, musicians, entertainers and health groups have warned the two
governments that allowing mostly-enclosed smoking areas after the
“smokefree” deadline of July 2007 will leave employees and patrons at
serious health risk – after a new research review* warned that the
cardiovascular effects of secondhand smoke are “substantial and rapid” and
“often nearly as large… as chronic active smoking.”
Victoria’s
parliament is preparing to debate the Tobacco Amendment Bill, which provides for
smoking to continue even after July 2007 in some eating and drinking areas with
roofs and up to 75% walled. And the NSW government is reported to be planning a
similar course, contrary to health advice and research – risking public
confusion and widespread avoidance of the 2007 “smokefree” deadline.
Says
Terry Noone, Federal Secretary of the Musicians’ Union:
“It is accepted that there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco
smoke – and this review confirms that this also applies to secondhand smoke.
So allowing mostly-enclosed smoking areas to continue will simply fail to
protect workers or patrons, leaving them dangerously exposed well beyond 2007 to
significant levels of toxic fumes.
“Letting
this harm continue flies in the face of employers’ absolute legal duty of care
under Occupational Health and Safety laws; and ignores the recommendation of The
National Occupational Health and Safety Council that tobacco smoke should be
eliminated from all workplaces.
“There
are thousands of bar workers, including musicians and entertainers, who are
looking to these governments to give them the same protection other workers take
for granted.”
Adds
Stafford Sanders, former professional musician/entertainer and co-ordinator of
the SmokeFree Australia coalition* of employee and health groups:
“It would be appalling if the Victorian and NSW governments were to
allow their health policy to be dictated by revenue considerations rather than
by research evidence, public health and OHS principles.
“In
stark contrast, legislation passed by the Queensland parliament is a good model
of how these concerns can be addressed – smoking areas genuinely outdoors, and
unserviced by bar staff or entertainers. NSW and Victoria can and should follow
this model.
“We
ask both the Victorian and NSW Governments to declare which is their higher
priority – protecting public health and occupational safety, or appeasing
vested interests?”
* Barnoya J and Glantz S, “Cardiovascular
effects of secondhand smoke: nearly as large as smoking”
in Circulation (2005); 111:2684-2698
See full
paper
Comment:
Terry Noone, Musicians’ Union (Melbourne)
m. 0409-405-657
Stafford
Sanders, SmokeFree Australia (Sydney) ph. (02) 9334-1823
m. 0412-070-194
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; Asthma and Allergy Research Institute.