NEWS RELEASE Wednesday 10 November
For immediate release
STUC Cautiously Welcomes Executive's Bid To Protect Workers Health
The Scottish Trades Union Congress has welcomed, with some reservations, the announcement by the Scottish Executive to ban smoking in public places.
Ian Tasker, STUC Assistant Secretary, said
"Obviously, the STUC supports any initiative that positively impacts on the health of Scottish workers. It is quite clear that smoking and prolonged exposure to environmental tobacco smoke increases the risk of heart disease, strokes and cancer".
"However, we are concerned that the Executive is intent in implementing the legislation by March 2006, a timescale that we believe is unrealistic, and does not allow enough time for full analysis of the economic and employment impact the ban has had on employment, specifically in the hospitality industry. A full economic impact of the effects of the smoking ban in the Republic of Ireland must be undertaken before Scotland follows the same route."
"Our fear is that jobs will disappear, especially in smaller businesses, leaving mainly larger restaurant and pub chains. The latter group pose an additional public health hazard in that they sell on a high volume, low cost strategy that has cultivated the current binge drinking culture".
"The Executive should remember that many individuals who work in the hospitality industry are students or supplement income from other low-paid jobs. If jobs disappear in the hospitality sector then many workers will face hardship and we urge the Executive to bear this in mind when they get round to investigating the financial implication of this ban".
Tel: 0141 337 8100 / Fax: 0141 337 8101 www.stuc.org.uk
Ends For further information: Contact Ian Tasker
Notes to Editors
A copy of the STUC response to the Scottish Executive `Smoking in Public Places' consultation is available from the STUC website at: http://www.stuc.org.uk/files/6/Smoking%20in%20Public.pdf