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Interference Of Reid Slammed

Thursday 27 October 2005

A leading medical charity has blasted John Reid, Defence Secretary, for his interference in a most important public health measure – the need to have smoke-free work environments in all public houses in England.

A leading medical charity has blasted John Reid, Defence Secretary, for his interference in a most important public health measure – the need to have smoke-free work environments in all public houses in England.

Andrew Dougal, Chief Executive of the NI Chest Heart & Stroke Association (NICHSA) said, “When Health Secretary, John Reid, stated that he was concerned that if smoking was totally banned in public houses, this would encourage people to smoke more at home in the presence of children. The experience in the Republic of Ireland indicates that the reverse is likely to happen. Nine months after the implementation of smoke-free work environments in Ireland, the number of Irish households which are smoke-free, increased by more than 30%. In the new dispensation the public attitude to smoking has changed radically. 81% of smokers in the Republic of Ireland believe that the new situation is a good or a very good thing. Many smokers have been encouraged to quit the habit and to stay quit because of the ban in work environments and public places.

“I had written to John Reid when he was Health Secretary urging him to read the publication ‘Poor Smokers’ by the Policies Studies Institute. This highlights the terrible plight of smokers who live on the breadline. Their lives are so awful that they do not believe anything can begin to improve their situation. As a former communist and alleged socialist, John Reid should be concerned about the most deprived in our community. By his actions he has shown that he has no regard whatsoever for the most vulnerable in our society.”

“It is time that the Prime Minister showed leadership and directed John Reid to stop attempting to wreck one of the most important public health decisions since the foundation of the National Health Service.”

“The Scottish Parliament is legislating for smoke-free environments. The Welsh Assembly has petitioned Westminster for smoke-free public places and in Northern Ireland we will begin to enjoy the same freedom in April 2007 thanks to the courageous decision of Health Minister, Shaun Woodward. Let us hope that this Government finds itself able to harness vision and moral courage.”

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