Scotland's doctors sign up for effective action on smoking in public places

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Article Date: 30 Jun 2004 - 11:00 PDT

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Signing up to a 'prescription for the nation's health' at the BMA's annual conference in North Wales, Scotland's doctors today backed calls for a comprehensive ban on smoking in enclosed public places.

Doctors attending the conference debated a motion* to introduce legislation to ban smoking in enclosed workplaces.

Dr John Garner, chairman of the BMA's Scottish Council said: "Everyday doctors deal with the ill health effects of smoking. Smoke free workplaces would save more than 100 lives in Scotland each year and offer protection to workers who are exposed to the potentially damaging health risks of second hand smoke on a daily basis.

"Smoking does not just cost health, it costs Scottish businesses. Employee smoking is estimated to cost businesses in Scotland as much as £450 million from lost productivity and an additional £4 million as a result of fire damage. Therefore it is not just good health sense, but good business sense to create smoke free workplace.

"While we support legislation to ban smoking in regulated areas where food is served, currently under consideration by the Scottish Parliament's Health Committee, it is our view that a comprehensive workplace ban, similar to that in Ireland, would provide more effective protection and save even more lives.

"Scotland has already shown great leadership in bringing this subject to the fore and the public appears to be supportive of such legislation. The Liberal Democrats have already acknowledged the benefit to public health of a ban, it is now up to our country's leaders to take action.

More than 4,500 doctors from across the UK have written to the Prime Minister in support of legislation highlighting some of the real life effects of tobacco smoke that they treat every day. Of these letters, more than 700 were from doctors in Scotland.

Notes to Editors

The BMA's annual conference takes place this week from Monday 28 June Thursday 1 July 2004 at the North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno.

Wording of motion 403, proposed by Northern Ireland doctor Peter Maguire

That this meeting congratulates the government of the Irish Republic for the leadership it has shown by banning smoking in enclosed workplaces by legislation and calls on the BMA to lobby government for the immediate introduction of equivalent legislation throughout the United Kingdom.

A photograph of Dr John Garner, signing a giant prescription for smoke free workplaces will be available from the press office.

Contact:

Gail Grant, Senior Public Affairs Officer at the conference press office
07768 005850

Beatrice Kennedy, Public Affairs Officer: 0131 247 3052/ 07979 510 421

For more information please contact:
Scottish Press Office
Tel: 0131 247 3050/3052 Mobile: 07979 510421
Fax: 0131 247 3051
Email: press.scotland@bma.org.uk

BMA Scottish Office
14 Queen Street
Edinburgh
EH2 1LL

Tel: (0131) 247 3000
Fax: (0131) 247 3001

email: info.edinburgh@bma.org.uk

Web: http://www.bma.org.uk/scotland

After 6.00 pm and weekends:
07979 510421