Smoking ban delays and exemptions ‘unjustified’
There is no justification for the government’s plans to exempt pubs that do not serve food from the public smoking ban, according to doctors.
Allowing pubs and restaurants to have a longer lead-in time to go smokefree than other businesses is also unjustified, says the British Medical Association in its response to the government’s proposals.
Doctors have long lobbied for a comprehensive ban on smoking in public places, and are warning that delays in bringing it in are “unacceptable and completely unnecessary”.
The government launched its consultation on proposals for a ban on smoking in enclosed public workspaces, with the exception of pubs and bars that do not serve food, in June. It plans to implement the ban by 2008.
But with the Scottish Executive recently opting to join Ireland and several other European countries in implementing a comprehensive ban, the government is coming under pressure to follow suit.
In its response to the consultation, the BMA describes the plans to exempt licensed premises that do not prepare and serve food as “arbitrary, inequitable” with “no basis in the health evidence”, adding that “second-hand smoke kills, whether or not there are pies with the pints”.
On the plans to implement the legislation by 2008, the BMA points out that lead-in periods of less than a year are common in other countries and have not caused problems. It warns that lengthier lead-in times could lead to momentum being lost.
Dr Vivienne Nathanson, head of science and ethics at the BMA, said: “Each year of delay condemns around 50 hospitality workers to die as a result of exposure to second-hand smoke while at work – this is totally unacceptable and completely unnecessary.”
“Doctors feel extremely passionate about this issue because we see first hand the devastation second-hand smoke causes to our patients’ lives.”
Health secretary Patricia Hewitt was jeered when she addressed the BMA conference in June because doctors felt the government’s plans did not go far enough.
Earlier this week, a poll for Action on Smoking and Health and Cancer Research UK found that 73 per cent of the population would support a comprehensive ban on smoking in all enclosed workplaces.
