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A
man who developed lung cancer after repeated exposure to secondhand
tobacco smoke has called for stronger legislative and other action for
smokefree multi-unit housing. Barrister,
surf champion and lifelong non-smoker Peter Lavac spoke in Sydney
today (December 16) at the launch of new online resource from ASH
Australia, Smokefree multi-unit housing: a guide for owners, tenants, agents, authorities
and governments* – which calls
for legislative, policy and practice reforms to prevent smoke drift
into people’s homes. Peter
Lavac underwent an operation in 2008 to remove a lung tumour, after
monitoring lung impacts of his secondhand smoke exposure. He remains
cancer-free since the operation. The
ASH Guide was launched at a Wollstonecraft (Sydney) block that
recently adopted a smokefree by-law. Speaking
at the launch, Peter Lavac said: “I
want to do whatever it takes to ensure no-one has to go through what
I’ve been through. It’s important that everyone recognises that
tobacco smoke is no mere irritant or bother, it’s a life-threatening
hazard and they must do everything they can to avoid it.” Dr
Matthew Peters, ASH Chairman and the thoracic physician who advised
Peter on monitoring his lung health during his secondhand exposure,
told the launch “exposure to tobacco smoke was a likely factor.” He
said “every resident has the right to be protected from this highly
toxic, carcinogenic contaminant drifting into their homes – just as
they are already protected from less hazardous intrusions like loud
music.” ASH
Chief Executive Anne Jones reported on Australian and worldwide
developments in smokefree housing. She said the ASH Guide would help
to provide residents, owners, authorities and governments with the
best available information on practical steps towards better
protection of residents and visitors. “An
immediate priority should be retirement villages, where there are many
elderly people suffering from heart, respiratory and other conditions
that make them acutely vulnerable to immediate and serious health
consequences from tobacco smoke exposure. “We
call on governments to legislate to make retirement villages 100%
smokefree by law, and to ensure that there are reasonable smokefree
options available in public and community housing. “Although
homes are regarded as private spaces, we receive many calls for help
from non-smokers exposed to smoke drift into their homes, often from
chain-smoking neighbours. “This
Guide is a tool for resolving these complaints.”
*online
at www.ashaust.org.au/pdfs/SFhousingGuide.pdf Comment:
Media
info: Stafford
Sanders
ph. (02) 9334-1823; m.
0412-070-194
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Page last updated 16/12/11 |
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