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date: Friday 2 September 2005

embargo: 00:01 hrs Monday 5 September

'Be brave' and make work smoke-free, TUC tells government

The TUC is today (Monday) calling for the government to 'be brave', resist vested interest lobbying and seize the historic opportunity to ban smoking in all workplaces, including all pubs and clubs, by April 2006.

In its submission to the government consultation on restricting smoking at work, which closes today, the TUC says that anything other than a total ban would threaten the lives of hundreds of workers a year and the health of thousands more.

Research shows that a complete ban would not harm business, and the TUC submission warns that proposals to allow smoking in pubs not serving prepared food, or in pubs with designated smoking areas, would cause a 'confusing mess', harming staff and customers.

The submission also assures the government that a bold decision to ban smoking at work would have strong public support. Over three-quarters of the British public now support a ban covering all workplaces, a higher level than in Ireland before the introduction of its smoking ban. Public support in Ireland rose to 96 per cent a year after workplaces became smoke-free.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber, said:

'It's time for the government to be brave. The public wants a ban, the health arguments are overwhelming and all that is holding government back seems to be a reluctance to say no to business lobbying or risk being called nannies. The confusing attempt at a compromise that depends on whether pubs serve prepared food has not stood up to public debate, and should be quietly dropped. But the government should resist the industry lobby's alternative proposal for smoking areas in all pubs, as this would leave workers and the non-smoking public at risk.

'The signs are that some ministers understand that this is an historic opportunity to make the most important improvement in public and employee health in a generation and save the lives of the 600 workers who die every year from passive smoke at work. The rest of the government should listen, be brave and enjoy the public support that a clear policy will win.'

Further points from the TUC's submission:

• Over 600 people die every year from exposure to second-hand smoke at work and second-hand smoke is the second most common asthma trigger in the workplace.
• A lead-in period is necessary for public and workplace education ahead of a ban. The TUC recommends an April 2006 introduction, in line with the ban in Scotland, but would oppose a longer lead-in period for licensed premises because one bar worker will die for every week the ban is delayed.
• All workers, including all pub and club staff, must be protected from the dangers of second-hand smoke. The proposal to exempt the 10 - 30% of pubs who currently do not serve prepared food would lead to more pubs ceasing to serve food to allow customers to smoke. Evidence shows that the exempt pubs are more likely to be in poorer communities that already have higher than average smoking prevalence. There is further concern that as people socialise in groups, in which some people may smoke, even non-smokers will gravitate towards smoking pubs and clubs and take business away from smoke-free venues.
• A blanket ban would create a 'level playing field', protecting all workers, and, as independent research shows, rather than having a negative impact on the profits of pubs, clubs and restaurants could actually boost trade.
• Research shows that restricting smoking to designated areas in all pubs, as being proposed by the industry lobby, will have little effect on overall smoke levels or the harm caused to workers and customers.
• There is no justification for subjecting workers in private clubs to second-hand smoke.
• The government should attempt to match the success of the smoke-free workplaces law in Ireland which is due, in part, to the threat of tough penalties for managers or others in charge of premises who fail to keep their workplace smoke-free. Fines should be higher than the government is currently proposing for a first offence and, for licensed premises, evidence of a conviction under this offence should be taken into account when considering the renewal of a licence.
• The government should provide additional resources to help local authorities enforce the ban.
• All work areas in prisons, hospices, long stay residential homes and psychiatric hospitals should be smoke-free with smoking only allowed in the residential area or in a designated and ventilated area.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The full TUC submission is available from the TUC press office.

Contacts:

Media enquiries: Ben Hurley T: 020 7467 1248; Pager: 07699 713182 ; E: bhurley@tuc.org.uk
Over the weekend: Dan Ashley 07880 504 846

Congress: TUC Congress 2005 will be at the Brighton Centre, Brighton from Monday 12 September to Thursday 15 September. Applications for media credentials must be received by 5pm Friday 2nd September. Requests received after this date will be subject to a £50 administration charge. To register and to book a BT phone line go to http://www.tuc.org.uk/congress/mediacreds2005.cfm

Press release (900 words) issued 5 Sep 2005