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28/07/2004
Health report adds weight to smoking ban demands
Concerns that a ban on smoking in public places would disastrously affect the leisure industry have been dismissed by the Chief Medical Officer as "unfounded", in his annual report published today.
Sir Liam Donaldson said that a "major plank" of the argument against smoke-free public places and workplaces had been "removed" by the study.
A formal economic analysis commissioned for the report found that concern about falling profits was "unfounded". Research indicated that a smoking ban would in fact boost business for the hospitality industry, rather than harm it.
In his report, Sir Liam said: "In other parts of the world where legislation to create smoke-free public places and workplaces has been introduced, profits in the hospitality and leisure industries actually rise.
"A major plank in the argument against smoke-free public places and workplaces is thus removed. The only remaining reason not to do it in the face of majority public opinion in favour is on grounds of defending the smoker's rights, but as one young woman bar worker in San Francisco put it to me rather pithily: 'Your freedom ends where my nose starts'."
In preparing his report, Sir Liam visited 'smoke-free' cities in Ireland, as well as California and New York City, and found bars and restaurants "thronging with people".
The BMA welcomed the CMO's findings, adding that the government now had no excuse for not pushing ahead with a smoking ban.
The Deputy Chair of the BMA's Board of Science, Dr Peter Maguire, said: "The BMA has been calling for a ban on smoking in enclosed public places since 1988 because we know that passive smoking kills. One of the arguments used against a ban has been the economic one but the CMO report knocks that on the head.
"This is no surprise to me. I have seen smoke-free pubs and restaurants in Ireland thronging with crowds of people. Business is booming in smoke-free Ireland AND lives are being saved."
He added: "The government really has no excuse, it's time for Ministers to show leadership and follow the examples of Ireland, Norway and New York and go smoke-free."
The BMA also welcomed the CMO's acknowledgement of the importance of academic medicine.
Professor Peter Dangerfield, Deputy Chairman of the BMA's Medical Academic Staff Committee, said: "Medical schools need high calibre teachers to deliver the doctors of the future, but, staffing levels are falling at a worrying rate. It is vital for the NHS that we make careers in education and research more attractive to young doctors."
Sir Liam's third annual report provides an assessment of a number of issues where he believes significant improvements in health can be achieved by sustained action.
The report also examined:
Chief Medical Officer's have been taking stock of the nation's health and highlighting major challenges since 1858.
(gmcg)
Sir Liam Donaldson said that a "major plank" of the argument against smoke-free public places and workplaces had been "removed" by the study.
A formal economic analysis commissioned for the report found that concern about falling profits was "unfounded". Research indicated that a smoking ban would in fact boost business for the hospitality industry, rather than harm it.
In his report, Sir Liam said: "In other parts of the world where legislation to create smoke-free public places and workplaces has been introduced, profits in the hospitality and leisure industries actually rise.
"A major plank in the argument against smoke-free public places and workplaces is thus removed. The only remaining reason not to do it in the face of majority public opinion in favour is on grounds of defending the smoker's rights, but as one young woman bar worker in San Francisco put it to me rather pithily: 'Your freedom ends where my nose starts'."
In preparing his report, Sir Liam visited 'smoke-free' cities in Ireland, as well as California and New York City, and found bars and restaurants "thronging with people".
The BMA welcomed the CMO's findings, adding that the government now had no excuse for not pushing ahead with a smoking ban.
The Deputy Chair of the BMA's Board of Science, Dr Peter Maguire, said: "The BMA has been calling for a ban on smoking in enclosed public places since 1988 because we know that passive smoking kills. One of the arguments used against a ban has been the economic one but the CMO report knocks that on the head.
"This is no surprise to me. I have seen smoke-free pubs and restaurants in Ireland thronging with crowds of people. Business is booming in smoke-free Ireland AND lives are being saved."
He added: "The government really has no excuse, it's time for Ministers to show leadership and follow the examples of Ireland, Norway and New York and go smoke-free."
The BMA also welcomed the CMO's acknowledgement of the importance of academic medicine.
Professor Peter Dangerfield, Deputy Chairman of the BMA's Medical Academic Staff Committee, said: "Medical schools need high calibre teachers to deliver the doctors of the future, but, staffing levels are falling at a worrying rate. It is vital for the NHS that we make careers in education and research more attractive to young doctors."
Sir Liam's third annual report provides an assessment of a number of issues where he believes significant improvements in health can be achieved by sustained action.
The report also examined:
- the dangers of smoking and skin ageing - a mix of wrinkles, damaged blood vessels and bad skin colouring known as "smoker's face"
- better blood transfusion - making the process safer and more focussed
- more focus on academic medicine - the need to take advantage of increased government investment in research and development
- earlier detection of HIV infection - a third of those infected are unaware of their infection and cases have increased by 126% since 1996
Chief Medical Officer's have been taking stock of the nation's health and highlighting major challenges since 1858.
(gmcg)
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