Qld unions call for smoking ban

Date: 13 May 2004

Queensland unions have called for an immediate ban on smoking at hospitality workplaces following a debate in the Queensland Parliament last night.

The Queensland Council of Unions and its affiliates with members in the hospitality industry are calling for an immediate ban on smoking at hospitality workplaces following a debate in the Queensland Parliament last night.

QCU Assistant General Secretary Chris Barrett said the QCU was disappointed there was no definite time-frame to address this important workplace health and safety issue.

"It's time that the hotel, club and restaurant lobby understands that the current situation cannot continue - not even for another week.

"With the Queensland Cancer Fund estimating that approximately two to three hospitality workers per month are dying from diseases and complications caused by exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS), it is time for immediate action.

"No other workers in Queensland have to front up to work in the knowledge that for the next eight to 10 hours they will be exposed to ETS.

"In many cases, such as serving behind a bar or changing cash in poker machines, the proximity to ETS is very close and unavoidable."

Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union member and long-time hospitality industry worker Laura Rafiqi said that evidence proved that ETS was a killer of workers and that this issue was about employer obligations to the workplace health and safety of workers.

"I am a non-smoker and have been diagnosed with asthma as a direct result of my work in the hospitality industry.

"Ventilation options are discredited and barriers between smokers and workers do not work as anyone who has visited a hospitality establishment where smoking is allowed will tell you - the ETS is everywhere."

Mr Barrett said that studies previously cited by unions in submissions to government enquiries have shown that where total bans have been introduced in clubs and bars in the US, patronage had actually increased.

"It actually shows that different people begin to frequent these venues however, the issue of a loss of patronage does not stack up against the loss of one more hospitality workers' life.

"These are avoidable deaths and diseases brought about by the industry ignoring the workplace health and safety obligations they have to their workers.

"The QCU is calling for nothing less than an immediate and total ban on smoking at hospitality workplaces.

"It's time for the government and employers to act."

For further information

Contact:	Tania Reeves
Union:	Queensland Council of Unions
Phone:	07 3846 2468
Email:	Taniar@qcu.asn.au
WWW:	http://www.qcu.asn.au

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