Clearing the air at work

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 7, Issue 338, 5 June 1990, Page 7

Clearing the air at work

"When passive smoking cropped up in a speech I gave to Auckland working women last month, one corner table broke into loud applause," said Minister of Health Helen Clarke. "It turned out that they blamed years spent working in a smoke-filled office for the recent death of a workmate with lung cancer."

"If his friends were right, that man was one of an estimated 273 non-smokers who die in New Zealand each year from diseases caused by inhaling other people's tobacco smoke. Buildings are like space capsules. Many have windows which stay sealed while the ventilation systems cycle tobacco smoke round and round in circles. In workplaces where people usually spend a large part of thcir lives, cigarette smoke rates as an important occupational health hazard. Few people used to have a choice about whether or not to brcathe clean air. But now smokefrce signs are popping up on desks, on public transport and in public places throughout New Zealand. An NRB poll last October found that 80 pcr ccnt of those surveyed supported a law which rcquired smokefree

working conditions for non-smokers. Almost two thirds of smokers would support such a law. To achieve this, I introduced the Smokefree Environments Bill to Parliament earlier this month, aimed at protecting the health of non-smokers by reducing their exposure to unwanted tobacco

smoke in the workplace. It requires employers to prepare a written policy on smoking, taking into account some minimum requircments such as no smoking in lifts or areas where the public has access. The health risks of smoking are well known. What more and more research shows is that passive smoking is more than just an irri-

tating nuisance : it distresses asthmatics and increases the risk of lung cancer and heart disease in non-smokers. Tobacco smoke is a cloud of solid particles and gas which contains more than 3800 chemicals. More than 50 of those chemicals are poisonous cancer-caus-ing agents. Having a policy on smoking is not about making people quit the habit. Nor does it demand an outright ban on smoking in the workplace. If an adult chooses to smoke, in circurnstances where noone else objects, that is

their business. All involved The success of any policy depends on employers and all employees, smokers and non-smokers alike, being involved in drawing up a policy to suit their own needs. . Posting smokefree signs is a short-term cost far outweighed by the long-term benefits to both employer and employees working in a

cleaner and healthier environment. Advantages include better health of all workers, increased productivity and the higher morale which comes when management and unions show their concern for workers' welfare. There are several sorts of smokefree policies, ranging from one with clear rules about where and when employees can smoke and where they can't to one which ensures a completely smokefree environment. It is up to each workplace to decide what is right for it. To hclp make that decision, the Health Department has prepared its "how to" guide on smokefree workplaces. These resource kits, advice and material including signs, posters and videos are available from your local area health board. The National Heart Foundation is another source of information and material., Planning essential A department study last year of five Wellington factories shows how important good planning and consultation is. The smoking policy success story was an

electronics equipment plant which employed 180 workers, nearly all women. Its factory manager began by surveying the workforce. Two employees had suffered heart attacks which the

doctor attributed to a combination of smoking and stress. Then the district health nurse held a clinic at the factory which found many workers were overweight, had poor fit-

ness levels, high blood pressure and a very high incidence of smoking. The next step was to involve other people in the workplace. Support came from the comTurn page 8

Health Minster Hellen Clark gives some tips on how to organise smoke free areas in the workplace, for the sake of non-smokers. (Last week was :The Great Smokefree Workplace Week).

Smokers & work

From page 7 pany's managing director, union officials, white collar workers and from srnoking and non-smoking blue collar workers. Union ' officials had an added incentive as two of their members were dying of lung cancer. A representative group was formed and a decision made to go smokefree - in both white and blue collar areas. The process kicked off with the district health nurse running an induction course at the j factory. After the

course, there was a three month lead-up period, with temporary srnoking booths for smokers, before the policy took full effect. Now srnoking is only permitted in one half of the factory cafeteria. More than 10 people have given up srnoking, thanks to the reinforcement given by a smokefree workplace. In summary, the factory manager rates the policy as a success. Workers' health has improved and the policy is widely respected because all had a hand in it.