SmokeFree Liverpool calls on Health Secretary

January 24, 2005 - PRESS RELEASE

SmokeFree Liverpool is calling on the Health Secretary for a meeting to discuss the Liverpool Bill on workplace smoking restrictions, as it reaches the House of Lords for its first reading today.

In a letter sent directly to John Reid and copied to Tony Blair, SmokeFree Liverpool Chair Andy Hull explains the reasons why Liverpool City Council is continuing to pursue a Local Act of Parliament that would see all workplaces go smokefree - rather than Government plans which would allow exemptions.

Bringing attention to the fact that smoking is a major cause of preventable deaths in Liverpool, the letter urges Mr. Reid to seize the opportunity of the 'Choosing Health' White Paper to provide across-the-board protection to non-smokers.

The letter also refers to evidence from the Chief Medical Officer and the report of the Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health, which highlighted the harmful effects of second hand smoke and identified bar workers as the occupational group at most risk from other people's smoke.

Mr. Hull said: "SmokeFree Liverpool does not believe that it can be acceptable for a worker in a non-food pub or private members club to suffer the damaging effects of second hand tobacco smoke.

"In Liverpool, people frequently do not have a choice about where they work, and employees in exempted premises would therefore be exposed [to second hand tobacco smoke] against their will and continue to suffer the same health inequalities."

It is feared that significant economic damage would be caused in Liverpool if hospitality venues are required to install expensive and inefficient systems which are proved to be expensive and at best only partly effective.

Mr. Hull reminds the Health Secretary of the strong public support for the issue in Liverpool, and that a Local Act of Parliament must be pursued to ensure all workers in the city are protected.

In a recent survey, 71% of people in Liverpool stated that they would support or strongly support a law to make all enclosed workplaces smokefree - including restaurants and pubs.

He also offers to meet Dr Reid in London or Liverpool to discuss the whole question.

"This really is a vital issue for the city and the rest of the country, and we think that the debate must be taken to the highest possible level," added Mr Hull.

The 'Liverpool Bill' receives its first reading in the House of Lords today, with a second reading due in March. If the Bill progresses smoothly, it could be law next year.