New US research makes the case for a UK workplace smoking ban

Commenting on a US review of research into the health effects of smoking bans published yesterday, TUC General secretary Brendan Barber said:

This adds to the mountain of evidence backing a ban on smoking in workplaces in the UK. The research proves that in the towns and cities around the world where smoking has been stubbed out, the positive health effects on workers previously exposed to tobacco smoke are immediate and lasting.

Every year 700 employees are killed by second-hand smoke in their workplaces. Banishing smoke from our pubs, bars and restaurants would prevent more workers from needlessly suffering a similar fate.

The TUC was commenting on a review of research published by Luke Clancy, Director General of the Research Institute for a Tobacco Free Society. When looking at places where smoke free laws had been introduced, the research suggests that smoking bans have had an immediate and positive effect on exposure to second-hand smoke, nicotine levels, respiratory health and the incidence of heart attacks and heart disease.