Posted on 02/08/2005 9:29:26 AM PST by Jakarta ex-pat
There is powerful evidence that an outright ban on public smoking would save lives, doctors' leaders from across the world say.
A report by the British Medical Association's Tobacco Control Resource Centre describes the success of such anti-smoking laws in other countries.
Ireland has seen drops in cigarette sales and the US state California has reported fewer lung cancers.
But pro-smoking groups called evidence for passive smoking deaths a "myth".
In the recent White Paper on Public Health for England, Health Secretary John Reid announced plans for a partial ban smoking in enclosed public places.
For example, while pubs that serve food would have to enforce a ban, other pubs would not.
The BMA says this is insufficient and doomed to fail.
Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's head of science and ethics, said: "I hope John Reid listens to these doctors' testimonies.
"These doctors are telling us that partial measures don't work.
"It's time for the UK Government to play fair, and protect everyone from exposure to second-hand smoke at work."
But a Department of Health spokeswoman said: "As John Reid has made clear, we need to strike a balance between the rights of those who want to be protected against the harmful effects of other people's smoke and the rights of those who choose to smoke.
"That is why we are taking action to deliver a big increase in the number of smoke-free pubs and restaurants in places where food is served while ensuring that people who still want to smoke in the pub can still do so."
According to the Californian Medical Association, lung cancer rates have fallen six times faster in California than in US states without smoke-free laws since 1998.
In Ireland, cigarette sales fell by almost 16% in the first six months of the ban, according to the Irish Medical Organisation.
The evidence falls far short of justifying a total ban on smoking in every public place
Simon Clark, director of the smokers' lobby group FOREST, said: "The idea that people are dying in their hundreds or even thousands from passive smoking is a myth based on estimates, calculations and statistics which are in turn based on extremely dubious research.
"The evidence falls far short of justifying a total ban on smoking in every public place.
"Most people want no-smoking offices to be the norm, but in pubs, clubs and bars there is clear support for a choice of smoking and no-smoking areas and better ventilation."
BMA chairman, Mr James Johnson, said: "Powerful vested interests peddle myths that smoke-free legislation is unnecessary.
"They say that it is unworkable, unpopular, and will lead to economic ruin.
"Such predictions are little more than scaremongering. The evidence shows that smoke-free laws save lives."
He said if all UK workplaces were smoke-free, the tobacco multinationals would lose an estimated £310 million in sales every year.
Ian Willmore, from ASH, said: "A comprehensive end to smoking in work places and enclosed public places is essential to protect the health of non-smokers and encourage smokers to quit."
Conservatives have won big in many areas in the last few years. However, in education the white flag was raised long ago.
Unless the right make an attempt to fight back, there will soon be nothing worth fighting for.
Stairs kill people too.
Banning cars might be a good idea too.
Is there a single human being that hasn't died from something?
While we are at it, lets not breathe the air or drink the water.
I have no idea if banning smoking in public places will save lives (nor do I care) but I DO know that it will make smoking incredibly sexy. People will have Smoke Parties. Smoking will become a visual code for "rebel", "outsider" and "hip".
Additional bans or limits will just put tobacco where pot is today. Way to think ahead Brits!
Me. I haven't died of anything.
Hmmm... Maybe I'm immortal.
Exactly. The death rate will still be exactly 1.0 deaths/person. No law will change that.
I think the outright banning of it everywhere is wrong, but I sure do enjoy going to a sports bar here in Bloomington, IN to watch a game without having to bring an oxygen tank along...
Why can't they MODERATE it? Would it not be possible to effect a law or ordinance of some sort to provide equal dining/recreational facilities for both smokers and non-smokers? I enjoy going to bars from time to time, but have not been able to do so due to my inability to deal with the horrible second-hand smoke produced by smokers. Now that the bar is smoke-free, a whole new crowd of people (who wouldn't normally frequent the establishment)enjoy going out for a drink or two. The business has actually increased and smokers still seem to have no problem going outside on the patio (with an overhang) to smoke.
I feel they really need to figure out a way to have establishments that allow for both smokers and non-smokers to enjoy themselves. It could be done. That way, the rights of smokers and non-smokers alike would be respected.
"Smoking will become a visual code for "rebel", "outsider" and "hip"."
Isn't it already...?
"Smoking will become a visual code for "rebel", "outsider" and "hip"."
Isn't it already...?
sorry for the double post
Because it isn't something they want to do; it's something they need to do.
With all the smoking laws being enacted even here in the US. Now I see yesterday that Cuba has adopted the same.
Finally we have laws that even a communist likes. How ironic.
This madness has to stop!
Forbidding smokers from collecting medicaid and medicare.... now there's a start. That is what we should push for. We should go on the offense.
After smokers, we then forbid overeaters from collecting aid... and then ....
Maybe I am missing something here, but unless I am seriously mistaken, there is approximately a one-to-one correspondence between live births and deaths, everyone dies.
and about the time pot is legalized...
Please?
Don't put too much hope in that. A large portion of the "conservatives" on this site advocate such laws.
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