Seminar highlights urgent need to remove the smokescreen

Investing for Health (IfH) Partnerships from across Northern Ireland are meeting today (Friday 12 November) to commit to a framework for policy development which will help make many local workplaces smoke-free.

The event, Removing the smokescreen, introduced by Dr Henrietta Campbell, Chief Medical Officer and organised by the four Health and Social Services Boards, the four Investing for Health Partnerships, the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF), ASH NI and the Health Promotion Agency (HPA), contributes to the implementation of Northern Ireland’s Five Year Tobacco Action Plan 2003-2008 and supports the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control by promoting the introduction of smoke-free policies within the workplace.

Opening the seminar Dr Campbell said: “Smoking is a major public health priority. We are making steady progress in the field of tobacco control through our Tobacco Action Plan, an important element of which is the protection of the public from tobacco smoke. This seminar provides an excellent opportunity to share experiences and to encourage more employers to follow the example set by the Northern Ireland Civil Service and others in the provision of smoke-free facilities for staff and customers.”

Members from each of the four local IfH Partnerships and regional bodies involved in implementing the Tobacco Action Plan including government departments, public bodies, local communities and voluntary bodies, will come together to tackle issues relating to workplace tobacco smoke pollution.

Environmental tobacco smoke is a major contributor to heart disease and many cancers, including lung cancer, and is a recognised occupational health hazard. Many people choose not to smoke, or to give up smoking, because of the health risks, so why should they be exposed to those risks against their will when they go to work?

Recent research conducted for the HPA’s pilot workplace health project found that 91% of those surveyed agreed that smoking should either be banned in the workplace or restricted to specific areas. The proven benefits of smoke-free workplaces include a safer working environment and improved health and wellbeing. Research has shown that when smoking is banned in the workplace, smokers will consume fewer cigarettes per day and some will quit smoking altogether¹.

Professor John Watson, Chair of the Northern Investing for Health Partnership commented: “A key aim will be to agree on and coordinate continued working to influence the wider community in relation to smoke-free workplaces and to encourage the future implementation of smoke-free workplace policies.”

Over 100 people will attend the seminar including representatives from local councils, Environmental Health, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Health and Social Services Trusts and the Health and Safety Executive.

Gerry McElwee of UCF concluded: “Environmental tobacco smoke is a significant cause of death and ill health to local workers. We can no longer tolerate a situation where smoking is a right and breathing fresh air is a privilege. In the continued absence of legislation for smoke-free workplaces, this seminar offers local employers a framework for action. We will continue to provide motivation, training and support to enable them to protect their workers and customers”.

The seminar brings together a number of speakers from Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. If you know of employees who would like to stop smoking you can advise them of the freephone smokers’ helpline which they can contact for help and support on 0800 85 85 85.

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Notes to the editor

There will be an opportunity to interview and photograph key speakers at 9.00am (registration) and 10.50am (coffee break) on Friday 12 November 2004 at Rosspark Hotel, Kells.

Speakers include: Michael Wood, Chairman, NHSSB, Dr Anna Gavin, ASH (NI), Dr Henrietta Campbell, CMO and Chair of the NI Tobacco Control Group, Maureen Moore, Chief Executive, ASH (Scotland), Anne Devlin, UCF, Rosemary Daly, Lurgan FE College, Gerry McElwee, UCF

1. Hocking, B. Grain, H and Gordon, I. 1994. Cost to industry of illnesses related to alcohol and smoking: A study of Telecom Australia employees. The Medical Journal of Australia 161, pp. 407-412.

For more information

Contact Dave Thompson at the HPA press office on 028 9031 1611.