New legislation is required to protect passive smokers in bars and restaurants, particularly staff who are forced t...
New legislation is required to protect passive smokers in bars and restaurants, particularly staff who are forced to work in smoky environments, according to the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).
The government should legislate for the provision of non-smoking areas within bars and restaurants in the light of the recent research identifying the heightened risks of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), the CIEH suggests.
Commenting, Ian MacArthur, CIEH assistant secretary, said: 'Everyone should be able to choose and enjoy smoke free environments both in recreation and at work. We are especially concerned about the health risks to bar staff who have no alternative but to expose themselves to ETS. We call on the Health and Safety Commission to review its guidance to employers and enforcement agencies in order to minimise the very real health risks. This will provide a starting point from which to tackle the difficult social and practical issues involved in minimising these risks both to workers and the general public.'
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