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Health leaders are calling on state and territory governments to end the decade-long delay in protecting hospitality workers by declaring pubs, clubs and casinos smoke-free before 2003.

Delays to smoke bans in pubs and clubs have been criticised by health groups as putting “fake economics” and the “ventilation hoax” ahead of public health concerns and legal obligations requiring all workplaces to be safe.

ASH Australia has warned proprietors not to be fooled by Big Tobacco, pointing to previously secret tobacco industry documents revealing their worldwide strategy of scaring owners and workers with the “risk” of lost business – a fear shown by research to be groundless.

A new study [1] says in Australia, US, Canada and elsewhere, “Through the myth of lost profits, the tobacco industry has fooled the hospitality industry into embracing expensive ventilation equipment, while in reality 100% smoke-free laws have been shown to have no effect on business revenues, or even to improve them.” This is supported by more than 30 published independent hospitality industry studies worldwide.

“The tobacco companies have sought through hospitality organisations to stave off smoke bans by pushing costly and ineffective ventilation options,” says Anne Jones, CEO of ASH Australia. “Such options have been dismissed by independent experts and authoritative health agencies worldwide, all the way up to the World Health Organisation.

“Whilst governments dither with endless consultation, hospitality workers in smoky workplaces are suffering from passive smoking injuries, as confirmed by recent studies. Nearly 80% of the population don’t smoke and many feel discriminated against as they don’t want to be exposed to the dangers of tobacco smoke toxins.”

ASH says it’s time for decisive action by State and Territory governments based on overwhelming medical, legal and economic evidence confirming that:

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

[1] Dearlove, J et al, “Tobacco industry manipulation of the hospitality industry to maintain smoking in public places,” Tobacco Control 2002;11;94-104 - view Here

For more, see newly launched TobaccoScam website at www.TobaccoScam.ucsf.edu

	Media release Big Tobacco in worldwide scam to stave off smoke-free venues Governments, hospitality industry should not be fooled by "fake economics" and "ventilation hoax"	August 9, 2002
Back to Media Releases index	“ Health leaders are calling on state and territory governments to end the decade-long delay in protecting hospitality workers by declaring pubs, clubs and casinos smoke-free before 2003. Delays to smoke bans in pubs and clubs have been criticised by health groups as putting “fake economics” and the “ventilation hoax” ahead of public health concerns and legal obligations requiring all workplaces to be safe. ASH Australia has warned proprietors not to be fooled by Big Tobacco, pointing to previously secret tobacco industry documents revealing their worldwide strategy of scaring owners and workers with the “risk” of lost business – a fear shown by research to be groundless. A new study [1] says in Australia, US, Canada and elsewhere, “Through the myth of lost profits, the tobacco industry has fooled the hospitality industry into embracing expensive ventilation equipment, while in reality 100% smoke-free laws have been shown to have no effect on business revenues, or even to improve them.” This is supported by more than 30 published independent hospitality industry studies worldwide. “The tobacco companies have sought through hospitality organisations to stave off smoke bans by pushing costly and ineffective ventilation options,” says Anne Jones, CEO of ASH Australia. “Such options have been dismissed by independent experts and authoritative health agencies worldwide, all the way up to the World Health Organisation. “Whilst governments dither with endless consultation, hospitality workers in smoky workplaces are suffering from passive smoking injuries, as confirmed by recent studies. Nearly 80% of the population don’t smoke and many feel discriminated against as they don’t want to be exposed to the dangers of tobacco smoke toxins.” ASH says it’s time for decisive action by State and Territory governments based on overwhelming medical, legal and economic evidence confirming that: passive smoking causes cancer, respiratory and other illness; and smoke-free venues are popular, good for business and reduce the risk of litigation. Comment: Anne Jones ph. (02) 9334-1876 or 0417-227-879 Media info: Stafford Sanders ph. (02) 9334-1823 [1] Dearlove, J et al, “Tobacco industry manipulation of the hospitality industry to maintain smoking in public places,” Tobacco Control 2002;11;94-104 - view Here For more, see newly launched TobaccoScam* website at www.TobaccoScam.ucsf.edu*
	Page last updated on 9/8/2002