Media release: June 30, 2006
A
NSW Parliament Select Committee has failed to make decisive recommendations to
end the deathrap workplace conditions faced by thousands of barworkers and
entertainers.
The
committee’s report, just released*, acknowledges that
“the NSW community is ready for greater tobacco control to further
reduce smoking rates and save lives”; that “the health of workers is
paramount” and that “greater protection is required” in licensed venues.
But
it recommends no immediate fast-tracking or tightening of smokefree venue laws -
merely that the NSW government should “further examine” the issue, waiting
to see how its partial bans turn out.
Employee
and health groups have expressed disappointment with the report. Says Stafford
Sanders, Co-ordinator of the SmokeFree Australia coalition**:
“We
would have hoped for far stronger recommendations from the committee, especially
in the light of the US Surgeon General’s report on secondhand smoke released
this week – a report which makes it clear secondhand smoke should be
eliminated in workplaces – not just reduced.
“What
we have in effect is a select committee proposing that thousands of NSW workers
should continue to work in seriously harmful conditions for the next year at
least, while the government watches how things pan out.
“On
the basis of independent research, that year will cost at least another seventy
preventable early deaths from smoky workplace harm – and goodness knows how
much disability and disease.
“Meanwhile
workers in other industries will continue enjoy the benefits of safely smokefree
workplaces – as will hospitality workers in Queensland and Tasmania – while
NSW barworkers are singled out for ongoing illness and shortened lives.
“What
these workers urgently need is decisive leadership to separate working and
smoking areas – as Queensland and Tasmania have already done.”
*
See report, media release and summaries at www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/tobaccosmokingcommittee
See pp. 100-120 for smokefree venues; also conclusions p. 136
Comment:
Stafford Sanders, SmokeFree Australia
ph. (02) 9334-1823 m.
0412-070-194
Anne Jones, ASH Australia
ph. (02) 9334-1876 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; Asthma and Allergy Research Institute.