SMOKING IN WORK PLACES AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH WHITE PAPER

Early day motion 1738, tabled 13 October 2004 by David Taylor (Labour/Co-operative). Signed by 68 members.

That this House notes that the medical and scientific evidence of the dangers of exposure to secondhand smoke in the workplace is now overwhelming; further notes that exposure to secondhand smoke in the workplace may cause more than 700 premature deaths a year, three times the number killed in industrial accidents; further notes that the Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health has concluded that exposure to secondhand smoke may increase non-smokers' risk of both lung cancer and ischaemic heart disease by about one quarter; further notes that the voluntary approach to smoking restrictions has left at least two million people still working in places where smoking is allowed throughout and at least another 10 million in places where smoking is allowed somewhere on the premises; further notes that the legislation in Ireland ending smoking in workplaces has been a medical and political success, resulting in a 97 per cent. observance rate, large falls in cigarette sales and a large rise in the number of smokers seeking to quit; believes that an end to smoking in the workplace would be a major advance towards a healthier population; and calls on the Government to commit itself to legislation ending smoking in all workplaces in the forthcoming White Paper on public health.

Signatures by party: Labour 39, Liberal Democrat 12, Labour/Co-operative 6, DUP 5, Plaid Cymru 3, UUP 2, Scottish National Party 1.