New research from the US makes the case for banning smoking in the workplace, according to the TUC.
The American study, carried out by the Research Institute for a Tobacco Free Society, found that smoking bans have had an immediate and positive effect on respiratory health and the incidence of heart attacks and heart disease.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said the research added to the “mountain of evidence” backing a ban on smoking in workplaces in the UK.
“The research proves that in the towns and cities around the world where smoking has been stubbed out, the positive health effects on workers previously exposed to tobacco smoke are immediate and lasting,” he said.
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“Every year 700 employees are killed by second-hand smoke in their workplaces. Banishing smoke from our pubs, bars and restaurants would prevent more workers from needlessly suffering a similar fate.”
Ireland has already instituted a ban on smoking in places of work and the Scottish Parliament is undertaking a consultation on the subject, which will finish at the end of the year.
