BMA(NI) keeps up pressure for ban on smoking in public places, UK

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 15 Sep 2004 - 6:00 PDT

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Passive Smoking Kills! Smokefree workplaces save lives! Introduce the legislation in Northern Ireland now!

This was the strong message delivered by the BMA (British Medical Association) in Northern Ireland at a briefing presentation in Belfast today, Wednesday 15 September 2004.

Politicians, Trade Unions, the Retail Licensed Trade, the NI Tourist Board, healthcare organisations and representatives from Health Boards were among the delegates who came together at a special briefing to hear the reasons why the Government of Northern Ireland should introduce legislation for the province on smoke-free public places.

Speaking at the briefing, Dr Fenton Howell, ASH representative and leading campaigner for the smoking ban in the Republic of Ireland, said: "The evidence is clear. Smoke-free public places save lives.

When they are in place, they are well respected and popular. As Ireland nears six months of being smoke-free, and Scotland looks poised to go the same way, I would urge the healthcare professionals and politicians here to lobby for the same protection for the people of Northern Ireland."

Also speaking at the briefing, Dr Sinéad Jones, Director of the BMA's Tobacco Control Resource Centre and authority on the damage caused by second-hand smoke said: "No safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke has been identified. Ventilation is not a solution and non-smoking areas offer only partial protection. Only smoke-free places protect health and Government must act now to make all enclosed public places - including workplaces - smoke-free by law."

For almost 20 years it has been BMA policy to ensure public places are free from second-hand tobacco smoke. The Association estimates that each year passive smoking kills at least 1000 people in the UK.

Dr Peter Maguire, Deputy Chairman of the BMA's Board of Science, also presenting at the briefing, referred to the recent announcement that the NI Civil Service would become a smoke-free workplace from 1 January 2005. He told the audience: "What is good for the Civil Service is good for the rest of the workforce in Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland must take action now. He has a responsibility to protect the health of people living in this country. Legislating to create smoke-free enclosed public places would be the single most effective law to improve health in this country."

Ends

Reference notes for editors:
Second-hand smoke increases the risk of lung cancer by 20-30%. WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer (2002) Monograph on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans,
Volume 83: Tobacco smoke and involuntary smoking. WHO IARC: Lyons.

Passive smoking increases the risk of heart disease by 25-35%.
Law MR, Morris JK and Wald NJ (1997) Environmental tobacco smoke and ischaemic heart disease: an evaluation of the evidence. British Medical Journal 315:973?9.

8 out of 10 asthmatics say second-hand smoke can trigger an attack
National Asthma Campaign (1996) The impact of asthma survey. NAC: London.

Pregnant non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke are more likely to have low birth weight babies and to give birth prematurely
British Medical Association (2004) Smoking and reproductive life: the impact of smoking on sexual, reproductive and child health. London: British Medical Association.

Passive smoking almost doubles the risk of stroke
You RX et al (1999) Ischemic stroke risk and passive exposure to spouses' cigarette smoking.
American Journal of Public Health 89:572?5.

Second-hand smoke causes asthma, respiratory illnesses and ear infections in children.
World Health Organisation (1999) International consultation on environmental tobacco smoke and child health: consultation report. WHO: Geneva. (WHO/NCD/TFI/99.10.)

The more cigarettes smoked in a household, the greater the risk of cot death
Mitchell EA, Scragg R, Stewart AW, Becroft DM, Taylor BJ, Ford RP, Hassall IB, Barry DM, Allen EM and Roberts AP (1991) Results from the first year of the New Zealand cot death study. New Zealand Medical Journal 104:71?6.

8 out of 10 people know that second-hand smoke can cause lung cancer
Meltzer H and Lader D (2001) Smoking-related behaviour and attitudes 2000.
Office of National Statistics: London

For more information please contact:

Anona Robertson
Tel: 028 9026 9672
Fax: 028 9026 9674
Email: arobertson@bma.org.uk

BMA (NI)
16 Cromac Place
Ormeau Road
Belfast
BT7 2JB

Tel:028 9026 9672 (direct)
028 9026 9666 (switchboard)
07767 216427 (mobile)
028 9336 0713 (out of hours)