BMA says smoking ban protecting bar workers in Ireland

Oct 16 2005

Today's British Medical Journal paper showing that smoke-free laws in the Republic of Ireland ARE protecting bar workers from the effects of secondhand smoke, gives the Government in England no excuse to fall short of introducing a complete ban on smoking in all enclosed public places.

Dr Sam Everington, Deputy Chairman of the British Medical Association, made the following comment:

“This research is important because it shows that smoke-free laws not only protect health but they also contribute to exposure to tobacco decreasing in the home too.

"The Government in England and also in other countries that have not introduced smoking bans should read this paper. Thirty people die every day in the UK from the effects of secondhand smoke; the first step on the road to decreasing this number is to introduce smokefree legislation.

"The latest UK Government campaign states that it is fact that secondhand smoke kills, given this there can be no excuse but to introduce comprehensive smokefree laws to ALL workers without delay.”