Workers and patrons in bars, clubs, nightclubs and restaurants in New York State will be breathing easier from now, as new laws banning smoking in all workplaces take effect from today. Quit Victoria says with the introduction of smoke bans in New York State, Victoria should join the growing global and Australian trend to embrace smokefree workplace laws.
Executive Director Todd Harper says legislation to ban smoking in all workplaces, including bars and clubs has been passed overseas in California, parts of Canada, Ireland and Norway. Bans in pubs and clubs are also on the agenda in Australia, with governments in ACT, Tasmania and South Australia recently announcing plans to implement total bans on smoking in bars and clubs.
""Victoria has made a lot of progress in recent years and we hope that we can continue to build on those reforms by ensuring bars and nightclubs become smokefree as well, as soon as possible.""
Mr Harper says new research released this week has shown the community is ready for smokefree laws to go wider.
""Only this week we've seen new research released that shows Victorians are ready for more smokefree venues.""
Mr Harper says the research, conducted by The Cancer Council Victoria, found that
- around two thirds (68%) of Victorians in favour of a ban on smoking in bars;
- two thirds of Victorians (66%) support a ban on smoking in nightclubs; and
- more than three quarters (78%) of Victorians support a ban on smoking in gambling venues
Mr Harper says it's not only non smokers who support smoke bans, with latest figures showing more than half of Victoria's smokers supporting smoke bans in gambling venues.
“Smokefree legislation in Victoria is inevitable, and it’s time that hoteliers accepted this and work towards safer, more pleasant venues for patrons and staff.”
“There’s a very simple reason why all indoor workplaces – including bars and clubs – should be smokefree - passive smoking is harmful, and even deadly.
“Many studies have conclusively linked passive smoking with a range of deadly and debilitating diseases, including heart disease, lung cancer, and asthma attacks, just to name a few.”
“All workers have the right to work in a safe, smokefree environment – the staff in bars, clubs and nightclubs are no different.”
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Further information :
Zoe Furman,
Media Communications Manager