Secondhand smoke a killer: science certain

Comments

By Lakeland Simms

Worksite News Senior Health Writer

Deep down, we’re all convinced second-hand smoke is a public health hazard (many smokers still don’t give a damn).

  But a new research shows just how physically damaging putrid emissions can be- even casual exposure in a public place.

The study, published in the medical journal Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, found non-smokers had dramatically increased levels of carcinogens in their blood after only a few hours of exposure.

 
This questionable revolution is the first scientific link between tobacco smoke and cancer-causing agents in non-smokers.

 Epidemiologist Kristin Anderson says the damaging effects of secondhand smoke can no longer be disputed. “Environmental tobacco smoke in restaurants, bars and casinos presents a potential health hazard tyo employees and non-smoking patrons,’ she says.

  Albertan’s tend to agree secondhand smoke poses serious health risks.

  
A recent survey of 3,000 Albertans done for the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission shows 77% agree smoking should be banned in restaurants.

That opinion is consistent across the province, ranging from a high of 79% in Calgary to a low of 75% in central and southern Alberta. In Edmonton, 76% of those surveyed favoured a restaurant smoking ban.

   
The survey also found 78% favour an across-the-board ban on smoking in the workplace. Fifty-seven per cent want a smoking ban in bingo halls, 50% a ban in casinos and 46% a ban in bars.

  Eighty-eight per cent favour a ban on smoking in any place where children are allowed and 85% want a ban in shopping malls.

Alberta Health Minister Gary Mar said in November he has tried unsuccessfully to convince his caucus colleagues to implement a workplace smoking ban.

  But MLA Kevin Taft, Opposition Liberal health critic, thinks the public is ready for a provincewide workplace smoking ban, which would include restaurants.

"It's very clear to me that the people holding this back are the smokers in the cabinet, starting with the premier and including, I believe, the treasurer, the Speaker and other influential people," Taft said.

 
A powerful tobacco lobby is at work, Taft said, pointing to a government decision in August to lower taxes on cigars.

 
Conservative MLA Denis Ducharme, who represents Bonnyville-Cold Lake, said he agreed with the government approach of leaving the issue of smoking bans to each municipality to decide.

Roughly 70 of Alberta's 350 municipalities have implemented bylaws in recent years restricting public smoking, including Edmonton, where smoking in restaurants is prohibited.WSN