The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has repeatedly called for a total smoking ban in all enclosed public places and workplaces in order to safeguard workers health, and is pleased that MPs have finally voted for this to happen. We believe this is the only sensible decision that could have been made to protect workers from exposure to the serious health hazards associated with passive smoke.
Neil Budworth, IOSH President said: ìThis decision represents a historic and welcome step for the health of the nationís workforce. Sadly, the path here is strewn with workersí health needlessly blighted and lives cut short through breathing second-hand tobacco smoke at work. We are pleased that this unacceptable situation is finally being tackled, though remain disappointed at the lack of urgency in the governmentís plans for implementation.î
He went on to say: ìWe urge employers not to wait for the official ban, but to start taking action now! The sooner exposure is stopped, the sooner the health risks start reducing. The first step is to provide support and counselling for workers who will no longer be allowed to smoke at work and for those wishing to give up. Safety and health practitioners up and down the country will be working with employers and workers to ensure smooth introduction of smoke-free policies, finding workable solutions for workplaces in which people also live and for situations where employees visit peopleís homes to provide a service.
He closed by saying: ìWe are glad that passive smoking at work is at last to be consigned to history ñ however, the delays in reaching this decision have raised serious questions such as why the governmentís Chief Medical Officerís early advice in favour of an outright smoking ban was ignored and why the department of health was allowed to present a case for a partial ban based on whether or not food was served, despite its irrelevance to the risks of passive smoke at work. Unnecessary delays will have increased risk to workersí healthî
At last, a breath of fresh air for workers!
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