Social Affairs and Health Minister seeks total ban on smoking in bars and restaurants
|
|
|
Finland’s Minister for Social Affairs and Health, Sinikka Mönkäre (SDP), wants a total ban on smoking in Finnish restaurants.
Mönkäre says that her main concern in the issue is the health of restaurant personnel. She notes that restaurants are the only workplaces in Finland where employees are still exposed to tobacco smoke while on the job.
"For the sake of the health of these 15,000 people, Finland should consider following the path of Norway and Ireland", Mönkäre says.
Ireland imposed a ban on smoking in restaurants and pubs in March, and Norway followed suit this week. Sweden is set to implement a similar law as of June next year.
"Previously we felt that we have such a progressive tobacco law, but now others have overtaken us", she says.
Under present law, restaurants with a surface area of more than 50 square metres must be half smoke-free.
Mönkäre complains that Parliament blunted the latest amendments to the law on smoking when it decided that ventilation arrangements would be sufficient for separating a restaurant’s smoking and non-smoking sections.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health estimates that between 15 and 30 Finns die each year as a result of lung cancer caused by second-hand smoke.
Ambient tobacco smoke is blamed for between 250 and 300 cases of cardiovascular disease annually.
Proposing legislation on smoking in public is not part of the mandate of Mönkäre’s ministry; with her statement she is stepping on the territory of Liisa Hyssälä (Centre), the Minister for Social Services, who is responsible for tobacco legislation.
"As the minister responsible for occupational health issues, I have to bring forward the health aspect", Mönkäre explains.
Hyssälä is on record as opposing a total ban on restaurant smoking.
Helsingin Sanomat
|
| 3.6.2004 - TODAY |
 Social Affairs and Health Minister seeks total ban on smoking in bars and restaurants |
|
