Media release: June 18, 2009
Australian
governments have been asked to take immediate action to end “high roller”
gaming room exemptions to smokefree laws.
The SmokeFree Australia coalition of employee
and health organisations has urged all governments to agree on a speedy end-date
for the exemptions, which conflict with
SmokeFree
Enclosed gaming rooms in NT,
Says SmokeFree Australia co-ordinator
Stafford Sanders: “High roller
rooms are Dickensian deathtraps, exempted from Occupational Health and Safety
laws for revenue reasons alone.
“They repeatedly expose employees and
patrons to lungfuls of over forty known human carcinogens – some in the most
carcinogenic category – as well as many other toxic compounds.
“Secondhand smoke is known to cause heart
disease, strokes, cancers and chronic respiratory disease – even at low levels
of exposure.
“OH&S laws are supposed to guarantee
safe workplaces – not be selectively ignored to serve the interests of those
seeking profit from the nicotine addiction of gamblers.
“We’ve asked for national leadership on
this from the Australian Health Ministers’ Conference and from the National
Review of OHS Laws.
“So far, our approaches have fallen on deaf
ears.
“The result is that the preventable harm
continues – in conflict with our international obligations, OHS laws,
disability discrimination laws and strong community support for 100% smokefree
workplaces.”
International and other legal obligations at
www.ashaust.org.au/SF'03/law.htm
Comment:
Stafford Sanders, SmokeFree Australia
ph. (02) 9334-1823
m. 0412-070-194
* SmokeFree Australia coalition
for clean safe workplaces:
Action
on Smoking and Health Australia; Asthma and Allergy Research Institute;
Australian Council of Trade Unions;
Australian Council on Smoking and Health; Australian Medical Association; Cancer
Council Australia; Heart Foundation;
Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers’ Union; Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance; Musicians’ Union of
Australia;
Non-Smokers’ Movement of Australia