Smoke-free workplaces

Victorian unions have called on the Bracks Government to take 
action and ban smoking in all public venues following a release 
of yet another damning research study into passive smoking.

"There is enough scientific evidence around that clearly shows 
the harm passive smoking is doing to employees in the service and 
hospitality industries", said Victorian Trades Hall Council 
Secretary, Leigh Hubbard.

"Today's British Medical Journal report that passive 
smokers have double the risk of heart disease adds weight to our 
demand that smoking should be banned in all workplaces, including 
gaming and entertainment venues."

"We have come so far in attempting to limit hazards in the 
workplace that not banning smoking, a major cause of illness and 
death, is simply shameful. What excuse could there be, bar the 
profit of tobacco companies, to not protect the men and women who 
work in industries where smoking is permitted?", Mr Hubbard 
added.

He pointed out that the restaurant industry is booming despite 
the campaign run by the industry at the time of the smoking ban 
claiming there would be a loss of jobs and revenue. "In fact, a 
report commissioned by the NSW Cancer Council shows that the only 
industry to be significantly affected by a ban on smoking would 
be the tobacco industry itself.

"In time, more and more evidence will pile up about the effects 
of passive smoking. We should not waste another minute in 
hesitating making workplaces smoke-free for the sake of the tens 
of thousands of people whose health is at stake", Mr Hubbard 
concluded.