Widen smoke-free legislation says BMA

The British Medical Association (NI) has called on the Government to extend its smoke-free policy from Government buildings to all workplaces in Northern Ireland.

As civil servants throughout Northern Ireland headed back to work today to completely smoke-free offices, BMA's NI Council Chairman, Dr Brian Patterson, called on the Government to introduce a ban on smoking in all enclosed public places.

“For each two weeks we put off this decision we allow yet another person to die,” Dr Patterson said. “This is not acceptable and is morally wrong when it could easily be prevented.

"The Health Minister, Angela Smith, has recognised that there is incontrovertible evidence that passive smoking kills but still continues to delay in putting an end to this situation. We do not need further consultation, the time for action is now.”

The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) also welcomed the new smoke-free policy in Northern Ireland’s government departments describing it as a “courageous move”.

However, Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, UCF, said the Government had a duty to protect all employees and customers across Northern Ireland and that such legislation should be widened to all workplaces in the province.

“UCF have attended party conferences, met health spokespersons, lobbied MLA’s, MPs and MEP’s and noted increasing support,” Mr McElwee said. “It is clear from UCF’s research that there is massive support for this legislation and even smoking employees tell us that they would welcome smokefree workplaces.”

The Northern Ireland Civil Service's decision to ban smoking in its offices throughout the country was implemented on 1st January 2005.

(MB/SP)