Media release: February 22, 2008
Health groups and employee organisations have
asked the Rudd Government to play an active role in protecting Australian
workers from secondhand smoke (SHS), in line with Australia’s international
treaty commitments.
The
SmokeFree Australia coalition of 11 health and trade union groups* has asked the
federal government to co-ordinate steps to ensure all states and territories
adopt measures consistent with Australia’s obligations under the World Health
Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)**
- which obliges signatories including Australia to make “strong
political commitment” to reduce exposure to SHS, particularly in indoor
workplaces and other public places. Australia played a leading role in the
treaty negotiations.
Says SmokeFree Australia co-ordinator Stafford Sanders: “Despite the
welcome changes in smokefree workplace laws in most Australian jurisdictions, a
number of ‘black spots’ remain in Australia’s
protection of workers from the proven health harm caused by SHS.”
Remaining
problems include:
Almost
no progress towards smokefree workplaces in the Northern Territory - where
pubs, clubs and many other workplaces are still full of toxic smoke, even in
totally enclosed areas.
Exemptions
for “high roller” gaming rooms from indoor smokefree requirements in
NSW, Queensland, Victoria and WA - enshrining these unhealthy, unsafe
workplaces.
The
perpetuation in most states and territories of crowded smoky areas, many of
them more enclosed than open, where bar and food staff, musicians and other
employees are required to work.
The
exacerbation of the problem by some jurisdictiions allowing gaming machines
in smoky areas.
The
continuation in some jurisdictions of exemptions to the smokefree rules for
some non-government workplaces not accessible to the general public (though
in theory all are covered by OH&S laws, work safety authorities have
taken a weak approach to SHS risk).
“The
result of all this,” says Stafford Sanders, “is continued serious health
risk for thousands of workers – as well as for anyone else on the premises,
including children and people suffering heart, respiratory and other conditions.
Many people are still effectively denied access to and employment in these smoky
premises because of inadequate protection from secondhand smoke.
“We
urge the Federal Government to initiate a nationally coordinated process for
ending this cynical and irresponsible avoidance of smokefree and Occupational
Health and Safety laws - and for ensuring that Australia not only complies with,
but continues its leadership role in relation to, the landmark international
treaty on tobacco and public health.”
** See the FCTC at
www.who.int/tobacco/framework/WHO_FCTC_english.pdf - NB especially Article 8
Comment:
Stafford Sanders, SmokeFree Australia
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.