BMA calls on John Reid to set a date to ban workplace smoking

Main Category: Lung Cancer
Article Date: 09 Nov 2004 - 10:00 PDT


In a stark BMA report, 'The Human Cost of Tobacco', published today (9 November 2004), doctors chronicle individual stories behind the statistics to show how second-hand smoke destroys lives and health.

Every year at least 1000 people die from the effects of passive smoking. The BMA believes the biggest single step governments can take to improve the health of the public is to take action at national level to stop smoking in enclosed workplaces.

In his foreword to the report, BMA Chairman, Mr James Johnson, offers the Health Secretary, John Reid, the same advice as smokers get: "There is no doubt that giving up smoking can be extremely difficult - like any addiction kicking the habit is no easy task. When smokers decide to quit they are often advised to set a date, bin the fags and then just do it. Support from a doctor or health professional during this time can be invaluable. I am going to give the same advice to John Reid.

"In the forthcoming White Paper for England, he should set a date for banning smoking in all enclosed public places, this will give the bars and restaurants time to bin their ash-trays and then these workplaces will just have to abide by the law. John Reid already has the support of the medical profession."

The report charts around 70 cases throughout the United Kingdom of doctors' experiences of dealing with patients who have been exposed to second-hand smoke. For example:

LUNG CANCER

"I have had three confirmed cases of inoperable primary lung cancer in life-long non-smokers in the last two years. The biopsies showed the type of lung cancer only seen in smokers, and all three worked in public places where they were heavily exposed to secondary cigarette smoke. All three died within weeks of diagnosis."

RESPIRATORY DISEASE

"I have recently seen a thirty-four year old landlady with severe bronchial irritation and a history of recurrent wheezy chest infections caused by her work environment in a smoky pub. She now needs regular inhaled drugs including steroids to control her symptoms. She herself has never smoked."

CHILDREN

"I saw a young boy on a number of occasions suffering from severe asthma attacks. His mother said she could not think of anything that brought on the attack, but the young boy said 'I always get sick after seeing grandad'. Apparently his grandfather owns a small and usually smoke filled restaurant."

PREGNANCY

"In my current post in obstetrics I see numerous cases of low-birthweight babies and difficult pregnancies exacerbated by passive smoking."

The BMA has been calling for legislation to ban smoking in enclosed public places since 1986.

Ends

Notes to editors:
Link to BMA report 'The Human Cost of Tobacco':
http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/content/humancosttobacco?OpenDocument&Login

For more information please contact:

Franca Tranza
Tel: 020 7383 6188
Fax: 020 7383 6403
Email: ftranza@bma.org.uk

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