Campaign
to ban smoking in hospitality venues gathers momentum Australian Liquor, Hospitality
and Miscellaneous Workers Union Casino Union delegates have organised
a forum to debate the dangers of passive smoking. (Union Press
Release, October 19, 2001)
Smokescreams:
The air war over workplace smoking heats up amid a push for tough
- and consistent - regulations It's easy to spot
smokers in New York City during the workday. They stand outside
in little groups during breaks, exhaling fumes into the air.
The scene may take place outside a building lobby or on a loading
dock. But sometimes smokers refuse to step outside. Some business
owners - perhaps tobacco users themselves - don't feel inclined
to provide a smoke-free workplace. Some states support "smokers'
rights." As smoking-related petitions are signed and lawsuits
filed around the country, questions are being raised about what
role, if any, government should play when it comes to smoking
in the workplace. For seven years, the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration has been considering a standard for indoor
air quality, an idea debated by business. OSHA's website includes
a
lengthy discussion on the health effects of secondhand smoke.
Early in May, an antismoking group, Action on Smoking and Health
(ASH), brought a suit asking that OSHA ban workplace smoking
nationwide. Christian Science Monitor, June 4, 2001
Passive
smoker wins $450,000 damages Anti-smoking campaigners
in Australia have called for an immediate ban on smoking in pubs,
clubs, and gaming venues after a landmark passive smoking claim
was upheld on May 2, 2001. A former barmaid, who has never smoked,
was awarded more than $450,000 damages after the jury agreed
that her throat cancer was caused by passive smoking at work.
The Melbourne Age, May 3, 2001
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