The TUC has called for tobacco smoke to be classified as a ‘hazardous
chemical’ under European law and restricted in workplaces – including bars and
restaurants – as other dangerous substances are.
Its call coincided with National No Smoking Day in March. The union body has
written to the EU Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, asking for
limits to be set on exposure to tobacco smoke at work, and to list it as an
occupational carcinogen.
Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary, said: "Making work smoke-free
would save thousands of lives and do absolutely no harm to the economy."
The chief medical officer for Scotland has claimed that 50,000 people would
give up smoking if it was banned in the workplace.
Dr Mac Armstrong made the comments to the BBC during an interview about
National No Smoking Day.
The BMA reiterated its calls for smoking to be banned in workplaces as part
of the no-smoking day, and the Health Development Agency called for smoking to
be banned in hospitals.
Of the UK’s 12 million smokers, more than nine million said they wanted
smoke-free hospitals to help them reduce their own usage.
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