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“
Long-term
exposure to secondhand smoke doubles the risk of breast cancer in
women of reproductive age – about the same effect as active smoking,
says a new study. Supporters
of smokefree workplaces, including Action on Smoking and Health (ASH),
are calling upon the NSW government to stand up to the powerful
gambling lobby - the Australian Hotels Association and Clubs NSW. ASH
says these organisations have failed to protect staff by opposing,
delaying and watering down smokefree legislation. A
review of 19 recent studies, just published in the International
Journal of Cancer *, found
that “studies with more
comprehensive passive exposure assessment suggest passive and active
smoking are risk factors for premenopausal breast cancer” and that
“observed breast cancer risk is similar for passive smoking and
active smoking.” The
author says “It would be prudent to warn women” of the risk. Says
ASH CEO Anne Jones: “This latest study is part of an emerging trend
of research evidence that breast cancer is linked to tobacco smoke.
New studies with tighter assessment of passive smoke exposure are now
showing a quite consistent pattern, in contrast to earlier evidence.
Although more research is needed, previous conclusions that there was
no link need to be re-thought. “Meanwhile
thousands of young female bar workers and entertainers are at risk as
tobacco smoke will continue to damage their health for at least
another 18 months and beyond if hotels and clubs associations get
their way. “Governments
should act now to ensure that all indoor areas of public places are
smokefree - and that in line with occupational health and safety laws,
no-one is expected to work in a hazardous area where smoking is
permitted, no matter how enclosed. “The
AHA and ClubsNSW are on notice that their delays over smokefree
policies are causing harm to their staff and that women in particular
are being knowingly put at higher risk of developing breast cancer”,
warns Anne Jones. * Johnson KC, “Accumulating evidence on passive and
active smoking and breast cancer risk”
in International Journal of Cancer 117(4), 619-628 - abstract at www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/110505952/ABSTRACT
Comment: Anne Jones, CEO, ASH Australia
ph. (02) 9334-1876 m. 0417-227-879 Comment/media
inquiries:
Stafford Sanders ph.
(02) 9334-1823 m.
0412-070-194
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Page last updated 7/12/05 |
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