I link to the debate in which I spoke for a short time (having been requested by the Speaker to keep it short).
The key facts are:
a) Smoking generally is going down
b) The Evidence from Ireland is:
- i) as a result of the ban smoking went down by an additional one off about 5%
- ii) people now smoke outside pubs or at home more than they used to
c) Secondary smoke is dangerous although not as dangerous as primary smoking.
d) 95% of deaths attribted to secondary smoke arise from smoke in the home.
The House of Commons has accepted that workers may be exposed to the level of smoke they encounter in outdoor areas.
The effect of the ban (which I voted for) is that smoking will move into homes and onto the streets. That which moves into homes will cause more deaths from passive smoking in the home and at least of the order of deaths that are reduced as a result of smoke-free bars.
If, and this does need to be proven, a ventilated smoking room can have a concentration of smoke of the order of a garden - which is feasible. Then the logic remains to allow ventilated smoking rooms. Fewer people would die as a result of secondary smoke and people would keep the option of a fag and a pint.
The key facts are:
a) Smoking generally is going down
b) The Evidence from Ireland is:
- i) as a result of the ban smoking went down by an additional one off about 5%
- ii) people now smoke outside pubs or at home more than they used to
c) Secondary smoke is dangerous although not as dangerous as primary smoking.
d) 95% of deaths attribted to secondary smoke arise from smoke in the home.
The House of Commons has accepted that workers may be exposed to the level of smoke they encounter in outdoor areas.
The effect of the ban (which I voted for) is that smoking will move into homes and onto the streets. That which moves into homes will cause more deaths from passive smoking in the home and at least of the order of deaths that are reduced as a result of smoke-free bars.
If, and this does need to be proven, a ventilated smoking room can have a concentration of smoke of the order of a garden - which is feasible. Then the logic remains to allow ventilated smoking rooms. Fewer people would die as a result of secondary smoke and people would keep the option of a fag and a pint.
Comments
It is even more disturbing to discover that evidence regarding changes in peoples' smoking habits that have occurred in the Republic of Ireland since they banned smoking in public bars, etc. has apparently been misrepresented.
The idea of smoking rooms is a non-starter, as employees would still be required to enter the room and the evidence is that affordable extraction systems would not work effectively to remove the toxins from the air.
The issue on smoking rooms is one of ventilation. I have said to the lobbyists that they need prove the level of smoke is about the same with ventilation as it is in a pub garden.