NSW party backs total smoking ban

Date: 07 October 2003

The NSW Labor Party Conference has instructed the NSW Labor Government to put forward a bolder and more innovative legislative package to protect the health of the state's hospitality workers.

The weekend NSW Labor Party annual conference increased the pressure on the State Government to quickly adopt stringent anti-smoking laws in the hospitality industry by unanimously adopting a motion calling for a complete ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces within the next 27 months.

The LHMU Hospitality Union moved the motion for the 800-plus Labor Party delegates to adopt noting that the current proposals before the State Labor Government contemplates only a few further limited initiatives. The union representing entertainers, the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, backed the LHMU motion at the party conference.

" Our membership was eager for the union to have the ALP conference adopt a much more stringent policy stance than that currently contemplated by the State Government," LHMU Assistant National secretary, Tim Ferrari, said today.

" Current State government initiatives involve limiting smoking at bar service areas from 2003 and allocating a non-smoking bar where multiple bars exist from the middle of 2004.

" These initiatives still leave tens of thousands of hospitality workers, entertainers and musicians subject to the proven risks of passive smoking," Mr Ferrari said.

" The weekend party conference called upon the NSW Government to take a leadership position in this area of worker health and safety, by implementing a total ban on smoking in all public enclosed places ie: That there be no exemptions which allow continuing detriment to the health of workers.

" The conference motion said the Government's objective should be a complete smoking ban in enclosed public spaces by the end of 2005.

" The exact timing of such a ban and the education programmes that are needed prior to that date should be the subject of discussion between the industry, government and unions at the earliest opportunity.

" The Conference decision reflects the increasing public support, outlined in a study just published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health which showed that nearly 70% of the NSW community support a total ban on smoking in pubs and clubs."

The LHMU proudly represents around 130,000 hard working women and men throughout Australia

For further info:

LHMU Assistant National Secretary, Tim Ferrari, 02 8204 7224 or 042 524 2727

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