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Clearing the air on passive smoking in the workplace
The Health Promotion Agency (HPA) continues its drive for
a smoke-free Northern Ireland with the launch of a new public
information campaign focusing on the subject of passive smoking
in the workplace.
The event
received the full support of Dr Henrietta Campbell, Chief
Medical
Officer for the Department of Health, Social
Services and Public Safety, who said: “Passive smoking
kills. I cannot stress too strongly the importance of all
employers having in place clearly defined policies on smoking.
Should the Government, or a future devolved administration,
decide to introduce new legislation in this area, it will
take some time for a ban to come into force. That is why
it is vital that we continue to promote the adoption of smoke-free
facilities in order to protect employees sooner rather than
later”.
This is the second phase of the public information campaign
on passive smoking and the focus is on employers and those
responsible for welfare. The campaign includes television
advertising and a pack to help workplaces devise a smoking
policy.
Also
speaking at the launch, Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive
of the
HPA, said: “Many workers are totally unaware
of the damage second-hand smoke can do. 85% of second-hand
smoke is odourless and invisible but it can still cause deadly
damage. The government’s Scientific Committee on Tobacco
and Health (SCOTH) states that passive smoking significantly
increases the risk of serious illness and no infant, child
or adult should be exposed to it.
“ With this in mind we are encouraging smokers not to expose
others to the damaging health effects of their habit and
hope it further adds to the number of smokers likely to
make a quit attempt, as well as supporting ex-smokers who
want to stay that way.
“Research carried out by the HPA revealed that when
people were asked how much they were bothered by other people’s
smoke almost eight out of ten women and seven out of ten
men said they were bothered by it. The message is clear,
non-smokers do not want to put their health at risk.
“We know that already a number of businesses and organisations
in Northern Ireland have been operating a smoke-free policy
for years, and we want this campaign to encourage those employers
who don’t have a no smoking policy in their workplace
to implement one.”
The campaign
pack, ‘Protecting your workforce
from tobacco smoke. A guide for workplaces’,
includes information to help workplaces implement a no
smoking policy. It will
be distributed mainly through the Health and Safety Executive
and Environmental Health Officers at local councils and is
also available from Central Health Promotion Resource Services
in the Board areas.
Workplaces
can also obtain the pack by calling the Smokers’ Helpline
on 0800 85 85 85. The television advertising commences today
and will run for one month.
END
Notes to the editor
The launch will take place at the HPA, 18 Ormeau Avenue,
Belfast on Wednesday 5 January at 11:00am. There will be
a media facility from 11:30am – 12:00noon when Dr
Henrietta Campbell and Dr Brian Gaffney will be available
for interview.
The Smokers’ Helpline
is a free service which provides support, information and
advice on how to stop smoking. The
helpline is staffed by trained counsellors who can direct
callers to smoking cessation groups in their area, as well
as providing advice and support over the phone.
For further information
Contact Jenny Dougan on 028 9031 1611.
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