New study: Smoke-free workplaces help smokers quit, protect non-smokers

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A new study in the British Medical Journal * has found that smoke-free workplaces help smokers quit as well as protecting the health of employees.

The study, published today (July 26) finds that total smoke bans in workplaces "not only protect non-smokers from the dangers of passive smoking, they also encourage smokers to quit or to reduce consumption."

The study says smoke-free workplaces lead to smokers cutting their consumption by between two and four cigarettes a day.

Says Anne Jones, CEO of ASH Australia:  “Although most workplaces in Australia are smoke-free,  most bars, hotels and casinos are not – so they’re still  the most dangerous workplaces to work in, as well as  to visit.

“Legal obligations require workplaces to be smoke-free for the simple reason that second-hand smoke is a killer and has no place in a work environment,” she says.

The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) continues to oppose smoking bans despite evidence of :

• The harm caused by passive smoking;
• Majority public support for smoke-free venues;
• Bans being good for business;  and
• An increase in legal actions by workers with passive smoking injuries.

“It’s time governments stopped listening to the flawed arguments of the AHA,” says Anne Jones, “and got behind protecting workers and patrons who would spend more time and money in hospitality venues if they were safe, smokefree places.”

* Smoke-free workplaces protect non-smokers and encourage smokers to quit" in British Medical Journal at  http://bmj.com/content/vol325/issue7357/press_release.shtml#1

Comment:     Anne Jones, CEO     ph. (02) 9334-1876 or 0417-227-879

Media inquiries:      Stafford Sanders                      ph. (02) 9334-1823

Page last updated on 26/7/2002