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“ Confusion over the latest round of smoking
restrictions in pubs and clubs has been blamed by health groups on the
Australian Hotels Association and Clubs NSW, following a ten year
aggressive campaign by the hospitality groups to oppose and delay
smokefree venues for as long as possible. “Strong warnings by health authorities,
including NSW Health, to introduce total bans as soon as possible to
protect staff and patrons have been rejected since 1996 - despite
overwhelming medical evidence about the harmful effects of toxins in
second hand smoke”, said Anne Jones, CEO of ASH Australia. Partial bans to protect bar staff and patrons
have been criticised by health authorities for being inadequate,
difficult to enforce and not based on scientific evidence. “Confusion and dissatisfaction is inevitable as
the non-smokers are exposed to smoke drift and recycled smoky air
whilst the smokers are expected to smoke in gambling rooms. ASH has also criticised claims by the AHA that
the NSW Government has done little to educate the public about the new
restrictions on smoking; and that businesses will suffer if smoking
bans are introduced. “Most people have seen the mass media campaign
of the Irishman (at a cost of nearly $1M) that frankly would be easier
to get across if the hotels and clubs had supported smokefree policies
instead of opposing them. “Many other countries, including Ireland and
New Zealand have successfully introduced total bans in bars without
any of the confusion caused by this piecemeal approach favoured by the
club and hotel leaders. The
present situation is a “dogs breakfast” and its not too late, says
ASH, for the NSW Government to follow the lead of the Premiers of
Queensland and Western Australia who have legislated for all serviced
drinking and eating venues to be totally smokefree from 2006.
Comment:
Anne
Jones, CEO, ASH Australia ph.
(02) 9334-1876 m. 0417-227-879 |
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Page last updated on July 13, 2005 |
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