Health
Managers in Sheffield have welcomed the
support of Cancer Research UK in backing
a smoking ban in public places.
The leading charity
has said that banning smoking in public
places could save more lives quicker than
developing a single new anti-cancer drug,
saving a potential 5000 lives a year.
Sheffield city leaders
are currently urging businesses in Sheffield
to become smoke free. A recent MORI survey
showed that 90% of Sheffield residents agreed
that all employees have a right to work
in a smoke free environment, and 75% support
a legal ban on smoking in enclosed public
places and workspaces. Approaching half
of the Sheffield respondents reported having
left or avoided venues because of tobacco
smoke, and more than half reported health
concerns about being in smokey environments.
Dr Charles Price,
Director of Public Health for Sheffield
West Primary Care Trust said: "It is
encouraging to see an increasing number
of leading bodies such as Cancer Research
pressing for smoke-free public places. I
hope local businesses will recognise the
very real business advantages of becoming
smoke free, to the benefit of their employees
and their customers. We shall continue to
encourage them to do so, to the benefit
of both their business and the health of
our city, and to offer our support to help
them achieve it."
In July, Chief Medical
Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said a ban on
smoking in public places could save the
NHS up to £2.7bn.
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