No butts - save our health

There is huge support in the voluntary and community sector for a total ban on smoking in public places.

A survey by NICVA has found that 85% of people working in charities want to ban the weed and end the damage caused by passive smoking in all premises to which the public has access.

At present 82% of voluntary and community organisations are leading the way by ensuring they have smoke free premises and 94% of those surveyed said a smoking ban would benefit both staff and volunteers.

"It is not only the direct risk to smokers themselves that is cause for concern but the secondary risks to those around them. Many people in Northern Ireland have seen the success of the ban in the Republic; this may partially explain why so many support a similar ban here," said Leeann Brady, NICVA researcher.

NICVA chief executive Seamus Mc Aleavey called on the Health Minister, Shaun Woodward, to decide on the total ban without delay.

"There is no reason why workers or customers in pubs and hotels should tolerate being killed off gradually with tobacco smoke. If passive smoking is harmful to health, there should be no exceptions. Smokers have the right to smoke but they should do so without harming others.

"It is not a tenable position for the Minister to say that some people should be protected but not others. The law must be consistent," Mr Mc Aleavey said.

"Almost 200 of NICVA's member organisations are involved in health issues so it is not surprising that our survey showed such high support for a ban. But I'm also worried that 18% of our members still permit smoking on their premises. I urge them to introduce smoke free workplaces without waiting for the law to force their hand," he added.

For more information contact Paul Mc Gill at NICVA, 028 9087 7777; 0772 1746 805 (m).

Notes for editors

The findings on smoking come from Viewfinder 4, one of a series of regular surveys of the voluntary and community sector.

Among the other findings are very strong support for government proposals to introduce a Charity Commission and compulsory registration of charities in Northern Ireland.