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05/07/2004
Civil Service announce decision to ban smoking
The Government has announced it is to ban smoking from all its offices in Northern Ireland.
The move, announced today by Finance & Personnel Minister, Ian Pearson, will see the ban come into effect from January 1, 2005.
Commenting on the new policy, the Minister said: “All Government Departments and the Northern Ireland Office place considerable importance on creating and maintaining a healthy and safe working environment for all staff.
“The decision to move to a complete ban on smoking from January 2005, has taken into account mounting medical evidence on the risks associated with environmental tobacco smoke in the workplace and the dangers of passive smoking.”
Health Minister, Angela Smith welcomed the decision, saying: “This is a very important employer-driven initiative, which is in line with the Tobacco Action Plan, published in June 2003, and will, hopefully, encourage other employers in Northern Ireland to follow. It may also help those smokers who wish to quit.
“The dangers of passive smoking are now well known and any decision which may contribute to a healthier workplace is to be encouraged.”
Mr Pearson said he hoped that the ban, including the removal of any remaining on-site smoking facilities, may encourage staff to consider giving up the habit.
The introduction of the policy in January 2005, will ensure that staff, working in Departments and the NIO, have adequate notice and those who smoke will have time to prepare their own coping arrangements, he added.
Today's announcement comes as a Co Down consultant led a delegation of doctors to Downing Street calling for a UK-wide ban on smoking in workplaces.
Dr Peter Maguire, who works at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry, led the British Medical Association delegation as they delivered letters from 4,500 doctors calling for a ban on smoking in workplaces.
"It is unequivocally clear that 1,000 people die per year in the UK as a direct result of passive smoking. This is unacceptable in the 21st century," Dr Maguire said.
"All workers must be protected from the killing effects of tobacco smoke."
(MB)
The move, announced today by Finance & Personnel Minister, Ian Pearson, will see the ban come into effect from January 1, 2005.
Commenting on the new policy, the Minister said: “All Government Departments and the Northern Ireland Office place considerable importance on creating and maintaining a healthy and safe working environment for all staff.
“The decision to move to a complete ban on smoking from January 2005, has taken into account mounting medical evidence on the risks associated with environmental tobacco smoke in the workplace and the dangers of passive smoking.”
Health Minister, Angela Smith welcomed the decision, saying: “This is a very important employer-driven initiative, which is in line with the Tobacco Action Plan, published in June 2003, and will, hopefully, encourage other employers in Northern Ireland to follow. It may also help those smokers who wish to quit.
“The dangers of passive smoking are now well known and any decision which may contribute to a healthier workplace is to be encouraged.”
Mr Pearson said he hoped that the ban, including the removal of any remaining on-site smoking facilities, may encourage staff to consider giving up the habit.
The introduction of the policy in January 2005, will ensure that staff, working in Departments and the NIO, have adequate notice and those who smoke will have time to prepare their own coping arrangements, he added.
Today's announcement comes as a Co Down consultant led a delegation of doctors to Downing Street calling for a UK-wide ban on smoking in workplaces.
Dr Peter Maguire, who works at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry, led the British Medical Association delegation as they delivered letters from 4,500 doctors calling for a ban on smoking in workplaces.
"It is unequivocally clear that 1,000 people die per year in the UK as a direct result of passive smoking. This is unacceptable in the 21st century," Dr Maguire said.
"All workers must be protected from the killing effects of tobacco smoke."
(MB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
