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Seminar highlights urgent need to remove the smokescreen
Investing for Health (IfH) Partnerships from across Northern
Ireland are meeting today (Friday 12 November) to commit
to a framework for policy development which will help make
many local workplaces smoke-free. The event,
Removing the smokescreen, introduced by Dr Henrietta Campbell,
Chief Medical Officer and organised
by the four
Health and Social Services Boards, the four Investing for
Health Partnerships, the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF),
ASH NI and the Health Promotion Agency (HPA), contributes
to the implementation of Northern Ireland’s Five
Year Tobacco Action Plan 2003-2008 and supports the
World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco
Control by promoting the introduction of smoke-free policies within
the workplace.
Opening
the seminar Dr Campbell said: “Smoking
is a major public health priority. We are making steady
progress
in the field of tobacco control through our Tobacco Action
Plan, an important element of which is the protection
of the public from tobacco smoke. This seminar provides an
excellent
opportunity to share experiences and to encourage more employers
to follow the example set by the Northern Ireland Civil Service
and others in the provision of smoke-free facilities for
staff and customers.”
Members from each of the four local IfH Partnerships and
regional bodies involved in implementing the Tobacco
Action Plan including government departments, public bodies, local
communities and voluntary bodies, will come together to tackle
issues relating to workplace tobacco smoke pollution.
Environmental tobacco smoke is a major contributor to heart
disease and many cancers, including lung cancer, and is a
recognised occupational health hazard. Many people choose
not to smoke, or to give up smoking, because of the health
risks, so why should they be exposed to those risks against
their will when they go to work?
Recent
research conducted for the HPA’s pilot workplace
health project found that 91% of those surveyed agreed that
smoking should either be banned in the workplace or restricted
to specific areas. The proven benefits of smoke-free workplaces
include a safer working environment and improved health and
wellbeing. Research has shown that when smoking is banned
in the workplace, smokers will consume fewer cigarettes per
day and some will quit smoking altogether¹.
Professor John Watson, Chair of the Northern Investing
for Health Partnership commented: “A key aim will
be to agree on and coordinate continued working to influence
the wider community in relation to smoke-free workplaces
and to encourage the future implementation of smoke-free
workplace policies.”
Over 100 people will attend the seminar including representatives
from local councils, Environmental Health, the Department
of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Health and
Social Services Trusts and the Health and Safety Executive.
Gerry
McElwee of UCF concluded: “Environmental tobacco
smoke is a significant cause of death and ill health to local
workers. We can no longer tolerate a situation where smoking
is a right and breathing fresh air is a privilege. In the
continued absence of legislation for smoke-free workplaces,
this seminar offers local employers a framework for action.
We will continue to provide motivation, training and support
to enable them to protect their workers and customers”.
The seminar
brings together a number of speakers from Northern Ireland,
Great Britain and the Republic of
Ireland. If you
know of employees who would like to stop smoking you can
advise them of the freephone smokers’ helpline which
they can contact for help and support on 0800 85 85 85.
END
Notes to the editor
There will be an opportunity to interview and photograph
key speakers at 9.00am (registration) and 10.50am (coffee
break) on Friday 12 November 2004 at Rosspark Hotel, Kells.
Speakers include: Michael Wood, Chairman, NHSSB, Dr Anna
Gavin, ASH (NI), Dr Henrietta Campbell, CMO and Chair of
the NI Tobacco Control Group, Maureen Moore, Chief Executive,
ASH (Scotland), Anne Devlin, UCF, Rosemary Daly, Lurgan FE
College, Gerry McElwee, UCF
- Hocking,
B. Grain, H and Gordon, I. 1994. Cost to industry of illnesses
related to alcohol
and smoking: A study
of Telecom Australia employees. The Medical Journal of Australia
161, pp. 407-412.
For more information
Contact Dave Thompson at the HPA press office on 028 9031
1611.
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