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ASH Daily News

16 December 2005

[View html version: http://www.globalink.org/nbuk]

HEADLINES

Hospitality workers want smokefree workplaces

Letter to editor: smokefree the way forward for hospitality industry

Spain to go smokefree

Philip Morris receives favourable ruling in 'lights' case


FULL TEXT

Hospitality workers want smokefree workplaces


An online survey by Caterer and Hotelkeeper has shown that hospitality
workers want smokefree workplaces. The survey was completed by 200
hospitality professionals. The vast majority (78%) backed a total ban
over a partial one.

The survey also showed that most workers would choose to work for an
employer with a smoke-free policy over one that allows smoking to
continue. Two-thirds (66%) of respondents said they would leave their
current employer if they didn't go smoke-free after the introduction of
a partial ban in England during 2007. More than three-quarters (77%)
admitted this would see them choosing an employer with a smoke-free
policy over one without when job hunting.

The British Hospitality Association predicts 100,000 workers will remain
exposed to passive smoke when a partial ban kicks in. A spokesman said:
"The Irish experience showed that bar workers felt much better post-ban.
Given a choice, I'm sure some UK workers will leave smoke-filled
environments to get a job elsewhere."

Nearly two-thirds (62%) think they should be paid more for working in a
smoky environment, and nearly half (47%) would take a pay cut to escape
the smog. Of those who had worked in a smoky environment, 53% said their
health had suffered.

Mitchells & Butlers director of public affairs Simon Ward said: "The
results of this highly useful survey support M&B's own position that an
outright ban is, without doubt, preferable to the Government's current
proposals."

Jean King, Cancer Research UK's director of tobacco control, said: "The
Government's suggestion that the health of bar workers should be
dictated by the type of food served at their workplace makes no sense. A
partial ban would leave thousands of workers unprotected from the
serious health risks posed by second-hand smoke."

Caterer & Hotelkeeper 15/12/05
http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2005/12/15/304049/Industry+survey+
backs++total+ban+on+smoking.htm



Letter to editor: smokefree the way forward for hospitality industry


Letter to the Editor of Caterer & Hotelkeeper from Debrah Dhugga,
managing director of Tom's Companies

Tom's Companies brought in a smokefree policy in all of their properties
in June this year and has received only positive feedback from customers
and staff alike.

"Since implementing the ban, Tom's Companies has sustained an excellent
of business.

I firmly believe that a total ban on smoking in public places is the way
forward for our industry. The comfort and health of my staff and
customers is my primary concern. Operating a no-smoking policy
encourages staff and guests to lead healthier lives and [our decision]
is an active response to the Department of Health's summer consultation
and feedback from our properties.

In order to keep ahead of the market you have to anticipate the needs of
your future market and I believe the future of the hospitality industry
is a non-smoking one."

Caterer & Hotelkeeper 15/12/05

If you'd like to send a letter of congratulations to Tom's Companies
contact them here: http://www.tomscompanies.com



Spain to go smokefree


Spain's parliament gave final approval to a law banning smoking in the
workplace. The bill, backed by all political parties was passed with 297
votes in favour, with none against. There were four abstentions.

The bill prohibits smoking in office buildings, shopping malls, cultural
centres and public transport, among other public indoor space and in
areas where food is prepared and sold.

The legislation comes into effect on 1 January 2006.

Independent 16/12/05 and International Herald Tribune 16/12/05



Philip Morris receives favourable ruling in 'lights' case


The Illinois Supreme Court has given Philip Morris a powerful legal
victory after judges reversed a $10 billion class-action lawsuit against
the company. The ruling reverses an early lower court decision.

The class-action centred on whether smokers had been misled over
cigarettes described as light or low tar being safer than other
cigarettes. The plaintiff had not sought damages for the health effects
of smoking but "only economic damages based on their claim of having
purchased a produce in reliance on statements by" Philip Morris the
court said.

The Illinois Supreme Court ruling stated that because the labelling of
the cigarettes was specifically authorised by the Federal Trade
Commission, the claim against Philip Morris could not stand. Illinois
state laws preclude such suits when federal agencies act in this way.

The decision ends nearly five years of litigation on behalf of
1.1million people who bought Philip Morris's Cambridge Lights from
1986-2001 or Marlboro Lights from 1971 to 2001.

Light cigarettes have grown to account for 89% of the US market and
Marlboro lights is the industry's biggest brand.

The ruling by the court now threatens the hopes of 25 similar class
action lawsuits.

In light of the ruling, shares in Altria (the parent company of Philip
Morris) gained nearly 6% and the company moved a step closer to possibly
splitting its food and tobacco assets.

Financial Time 16/12/05 http://tinyurl.com/cpq68 (full text only
available to subscribers) and International Herald Tribune 16/12/05
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/12/15/business/smoke.php
and The Times 16/12/05

Also reported in Wall Street Journal Europe 16/12/05, The Independent
16/12/05 Daily Express 16/12/05 and Daily Telegraph 16/12/05

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Sarah Ward
Information Manager
Action on Smoking & Health (ASH)
102 Clifton Street
London
EC2A 4HW

Tel: 020 7739 5902
Fax: 020 7613 0531
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