ASH surprised but delighted with new progressiveproposals on passive smoking at work
6 September 2000 -For immediate release
ASHresponded with surprise and delight at the new measures to tackle passivesmoking announced yesterday by the Health & Safety Commission. The decisionto let the proposed Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) go through to ministers isa great victory for public health.
ASH'sProject Manager, Karl Brookes, said: "This is good news for the 3 million non-smoking staff who work ina smoky environment. It's also good news for employers because theynow have clear guidance on the actions they should take in order toprotect their staff from the dangers of passive smoking at work."
Thecommission surprised ASH by going further than the health lobby had hopedfor and dealt with the concerns of the hospitality industry, by bringing thePublic Places Charter into the ACoP for the first two years. This means thatany pub or restaurant that signs up to the Public Places Charter will be complyingwith the ACoP. The situation will be supported by new guidance and reviewedafter two years. This should ensurethat staff most in need of protection from passive smoking are protected,whilst giving consumers a wider choice of smoke free areas.
KarlBrookes added, "Increasingly publicans are finding that smoke free areasare good for business. We are pleased that the Public Places Charter isbeing promoted in a way that will benefit the consumer, staffand business."
Thedecision came after a three month consultation last year. Over 85% ofrespondents backed the introduction of an ACoP. Commissioners concluded thatthe ACoP offered the most sensible way to tackle the workplace smoking. TheACoP will give authoritative guidance on employers' obligations under health,safety, and welfare law regarding passive smoking at work. This Code will have special legal force,similar to that of the Highway Code. Failing to follow the Code will not be an offence in itself, but anemployer will need to demonstrate that equally effective methods have beenadopted to signal compliance with the law.
