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HPA highlights
urgent need for smoking ban in Northern Ireland
Commenting on the Regional Strategy launched
today Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive of the Health Promotion
Agency,
(HPA) said: “The new strategy is about health and the
development of good health in Northern Ireland over the next
twenty years.
“There are many health issues and problems
to be tackled. However, if we were to concentrate in the
short term on tackling
tobacco this would have far reaching effects over the life
of the strategy.
“The consultation on a smoking ban
should not overshadow the rest of the health strategy but
smoking remains our number
one cause of preventable disease.
“Bringing in smoke-free workplaces would be one of
the best ways to tackle ill health. We know that passive
smoking can increase your risk of lung cancer by 20 – 30%,
heart disease by 25 – 35%, and stroke by 80%. In fact,
the air in a room where people are smoking contains around
4,000 chemicals, some of which - at least 60 - are known
to cause cancer. Recent research for Government concluded
that there is no doubt at all that passive smoking significantly
increases the risk of serious illness and states that no
infant, child or adult should be exposed to it.
“A smoking ban has worked in the Republic
of Ireland, New York and Norway - it will work in Northern
Ireland. It
is time the Government stopped dragging their heels on this
issue and make smoking in all workplaces illegal as soon
as possible.”
END
For further information
Contact Jenny Dougan on 028 9031 1611.
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