Kevin Rowan column

Jun 6 2005 By Kevin Rowan, The Journal

It is time for a complete ban on smoking in workplaces.

Not long ago a campaign to ban smoking in workplaces and public places would have met with an outcry from smokers claiming their liberties were being curtailed.

The annual No Smoking Day and the launch of the Fresh North-East campaign had a positive response. A website poll at freshne.com showed 87% in favour of banning smoking in workplaces.

This level of support is underpinned by some startling facts. Exposure to second-hand smoke in the workplace is directly responsible for more than 600 deaths a year.

In the North-East alone, 35 non-smokers die every year from breathing other people's tobacco smoke at work.

Second-hand smoke will arguably be the hidden workplace killer of this century, taking over from asbestos as the number one fatal risk to workers.

Second-hand smoke kills three times as many workers as workplace accidents and increases the risk of lung cancer by 24% and heart disease by 25%. And it isn't necessary for non-smokers to be exposed to second-hand smoke for prolonged periods.

Exposure of just 30 minutes reduces the non-smoker's blood flow. Tobacco smoke contains about 4,000 chemicals, 50 of which cause cancer.

All employees working where smoking is allowed are at risk, bar workers being the most at risk.

It is estimated that 50 workers in the hospitality industry die each year from second-hand smoke. Government proposals to ban smoking only in establishments serving food will not protect pub and club workers.

Last month I enjoyed a terrific weekend in Dublin, where smoking is banned in all pubs and clubs.

It hasn't seemed to impact on the number of people participating in the social scene in that fine city.

Of those 600 workers who die from workplace exposure to second-hand smoke each year, all of them have a potential personal injury claim against their employer.

Quite simply, it is the employer's duty to protect workers from injury and ill health in the workplace.

While support should be offered to smokers who want to give up, there can be no excuse for allowing workers to be exposed to such risks. Employers should not wait for legislation to ban smoking at work now.

Kevin Rowan is regional secretary, Northern TUC.