Lib Dem Council leader welcomes smoke free laws
October 27, 2005 5:12 PM
Cllr Barbara Janke
The Government's Bill to bring in smoke-free work places and a smoking ban in pubs and clubs that serve food has been welcomed by the Lib Dem leader of Bristol City Council Barbara Janke.
In Bristol there is a drive towards protecting the public and workers from second-hand smoke as part of the major smoke-free Bristol initiative. The Bristol Partnership brings together the public, private, business and community sectors in Bristol to deliver long lasting improvements to the quality of life for all in the city and has been looking at smoke-free public places in Bristol amongst other public health issues.
Barbara Janke, who is also Chair of the Bristol Partnership said: "Bristol is ready to be in the forefront for making public places smoke-free as soon as legislation allows. In Bristol we will continue to lobby to make all pubs and clubs smoke-free so that we can protect more local people from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. With more and more work places becoming smoke-free and people asserting their rights to work in smoke-free environments, the work of Bristol Partnership will be very important in driving forward smoke-free public places in the city. "
The Partnership wants to protect people from the ill effects of smoke, which can kill and cause ill health. The Partnership is also fighting for the rights of everyone to work in a smoke-free environment.
Dr Alison Frater, Director of Public Health at Bristol North and Bristol South & West PCTs said: "We are pleased that the Bill will certainly improve public places and we agree with the general direction of the planned legislation. However smoke-free Bristol is aiming for smoke-free pubs and clubs including those that don't serve food. We are particularly concerned about inequalities in health, and this legislation may not go far enough to protect low paid workers that may work in pubs and clubs. There is growing evidence of illness caused by secondhand smoke and we want to protect people from this, particularly children. We are also supporting smokers who want to quit - and more people are coming to us for advice on this."
She added: "Surveys in Bristol have shown that there is an appetite for making indoor public places smoke -free."
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