Media release: September 10, 2009
Health
and employee organisations have welcomed the news that the
The SmokeFree Australia coalition has
applauded the confirmation today by NT Health Minister Kon Vatskalis that indoor
areas of pubs and clubs will finally become smokefree by January 2, 2010; and
the announcement that 50% of venues’ outdoor areas will also go smokefree by
2011.
It is understood that the smokefree areas
will include all working areas becoming substantially smokefree, along the lines
of
Says Stafford Sanders, co-ordinator of
SmokeFree
“This is a huge step forward for public and
workplace health in the
“We have some concern at how ‘indoor’
and ‘outdoor’ areas are defined, and how the remaining smoking areas will
operate – particularly how they will be kept separate from non-smoking,
especially working, areas.
“These questions will have a critical
impact on the health of those most acutely affected by secondhand smoke: the
employees in these venues, the food and drink service workers, gaming workers,
entertainers, cleaners and others who are suffering daily doses of these toxic
and carcinogenic tobacco smoke at known harmful levels.
“Given this, it’s vital that the Tobacco
Action Taskforce charged with determining the future course of this policy
should include representation from these employees. We urge the NT Government to
ensure that they are represented. It would be unfair and illogical if employers
but not employees were to have a say on these questions.
“We look forward to positive clarification
of this - and to the health and economic benefits that will flow to the
territory from this courageous move.”
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