Smoking regulations and the workplace

The tobacco issue merits a committed approach since it is one of the main causes of premature death among all age groups. It is estimated that about a billion people around the world are smokers - people who are addicted to an engineered drug-delivery device called nicotine, a substance claimed to be more addictive than heroin and cocaine.

It is believed that passive smoking is a cause of heart disease and cot death, middle ear disease and asthmatic attacks in children. In addition, tobacco smoke is a cause of discomfort and irritation to many people, particularly those suffering from respiratory illnesses such as asthma or bronchitis and may lead to an increased absence from work.

Non-smokers have become increasingly vocal in their opposition to working in a smoky atmosphere, which may lead to conflict with colleagues who smoke.

Across Europe, legislation on smoking at work differs. Some countries have a complete ban on smoking in all workplaces while others have a ban in some industries for safety reasons. Others do not have specific legislation on smoking although many employers do not allow smoking at the workplace.

According to the Maltese Health Information Department, there were 371 deaths related to smoking in 1999 (253 males and 118 females). In 2000, the number of smoking-related deaths decreased slightly to 358 (236 males and 122 females) while there were 342 deaths in 2001 (231 males and 111 females). In the first six months of 2002, the number of smoking-related deaths had already reached 195 (136 males and 59 females). Smoking is a problem for one and all.

The smoking ban in Malta

The smoking ban is part of the 2003 Smoking in Public Places Regulations (part of the Tobacco Act). The amendments to the law regarding the Tobacco Act (Chap 315) lists a number of areas where smoking will be prohibited. According to Article 3 (1) of the legislation, smoking will be banned in:

¤ Establishments providing a service to the public, whether it is paid for or free of charge, including the sale of goods

¤ Hospitals and any medical premises

¤ Residences of the elderly

¤ Schools and other premises where children are received

¤ Buildings where higher education and vocational training are given

¤ Places used to provide entertainment, such as radio and television studios, exhibition areas, sports establishments, ports and airports.

The regulations also describe the employer's responsibility - he/she has to make sure that people do not smoke at the workplace, or in any public area of the premises. The employer will also be responsible to ensure that non-smoking employees are not required to enter smoking areas to carry out their duties. No smoking signs must be put up in the workplace so that people are aware that no smoking is permitted inside that place.

The legislative amendments will help protect the public from exposure to tobacco smoke. Passive smoking can cause cancer, heart disease, respiratory problems, headaches, hay fever and a number of other illnesses.

As from April 5, all government departments and offices stipulated in the legal notice have had to adhere to these new non-smoking regulations.

For non-smokers, this is a step in the right direction, a step towards inhaling cleaner air while in a closed environment. For smokers, this is quite a setback: you either smoke in the right places, or you will be breaking the law.

Awareness of the anti-smoking legislation, both through the media and the health promotion department, is believed to have served its purpose - many have been talking about it at home and over coffee in several bars and in restaurants. It was news that brought a sigh of relief for those who have had to inhale someone else's smoke for years on end.

The public - both smokers and non-smokers - seemed to have been prepared to accept this legislation with all its consequences. The pressure on the health authorities from some sectors of the business community was intense, to the extent that the government decided to postpone the introduction of the new legislation for bars and restaurants. These were given between six months and a year to come in line with the regulations.

A ban on smoking in public places including restaurants and bars was also supposed to come into force on April 5, but the GRTU-Association of Retailers and Traders called for amendments, fearing it would have a negative impact on businesses.

The government gave restaurants and bars with an area of more than 60 square metres up to six months to come in line with the law. This meant they would have to designate specific smoking areas. Establishments with an area of less than 60 square metres are being given up to April 2005 to install the air purification equipment according to the criteria established by the Malta Standards Authority.

Standing up for your rights

Non-smokers have long said that people do have the right to smoke if they want to, but they do not have the right to contaminate the air that others breathe. And it's true. Everyone has to the right to stay free of passive smoking - inhaling other people's smoke. Some believe that smokers are being selfish when others around them have to inhale their smoke, endangering their health.

The general feeling is that any perceived "right to smoke" does not include the right to give other people cancer. People who smoke must assume full responsibility and ensure that by satisfying their addiction to nicotine, other people are not harmed or killed.

A non-smoker was recently quoted as saying that "breathing is a vital life function, a necessary, healthy, primary and natural state of being. Smoking is an optional, unhealthy, destructive, learned, discretionary activity engaged in to satisfy an addiction for nicotine. The worst-case scenario for the smoker faced with a 'no smoking' sign is delayed gratification of a self-inflicted craving for a poisonous substance. However, the worst-case scenario for a person exposed to secondhand smoke is death."

Whereas before one could only ask someone to move away or just move further away yourself, now a non-smoker who is inhaling other people's smoke can actually report a person who is smoking while they are in a public place. It is not understood whether wardens, police, government messengers or security guards will be taking the matter in hand to enforce the law or whether the health inspectors will be doing this job.

Kicking the habit

Some smokers find that the introduction of smoking restrictions provides the impetus they need to give up smoking entirely. It has been proved, several times, that smoke-free workplaces, while protecting non-smoking employees, help smokers kick the habit. Even though just under a month has passed since the introduction of the new law, people are finding this is the right time to quit.

Many smokers continue smoking not through free choice but because they are addicted to the nicotine in cigarettes. Let us not be fooled: giving up smoking is the one of single most beneficial things you can do for your immediate and long term health.

Unfortunately, the insidious nature of nicotine addiction also makes giving up smoking one of the most difficult things to do. But that does not mean that you cannot beat cigarettes. How can get you started on stopping?

When you stop smoking, the body will begin to repair the damage done through smoking almost immediately, kick-starting a series of beneficial health changes that continue for years.

It is said that 20 minutes after smoking the last cigarette, the blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal. After eight hours, nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half, while oxygen levels also return to normal. Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body after 24 hours while the lungs start to clear out the mucus and other smoking debris.

Some time later, smokers who have now quit will see a drastic change in their ability to taste and smell. Between three and nine months since smoking the last cigarette, cough, wheezing and breathing problems begin to improve as lung function is increased by up to 10 per cent.

One year after quitting, the risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker while 10 years later, the risk of lung cancer also decreases by 50 per cent. Other good news is that after 15 years not smoking, the risk of a heart attack falls to the same level as someone who has never smoked in his life.

Withdrawal symptoms are the physical and mental changes that occur following interruption or termination of drug use. They are normally temporary and are the result of the physical or psychological adaptation to long-term drug use, requiring a period of readjustment when the drug is no longer ingested. In the case of smoking, withdrawal symptoms could include irritability, depression, restlessness, poor concentration, increased appetite and cravings.

The possibility of weight gain is often of particular concern to those who want to give up smoking. Studies showed that more than 80 per cent of smokers will gain weight once they quit smoking. However, this is the weight gain made without recourse to any special attempts at dieting or exercises and it presents a minor health risk when compared to the risk of continued smoking.

In addition, improved lung function and some of the other health benefits of giving up smoking are likely to make exercise both easier and more beneficial.

So grab the bull by its horns and quit smoking immediately, in the best interests of your own health and of those around you! The Health Promotion Department offers help for those who would like to quit smoking. The department may be contacted on 2123-1247.

CSB Recruitment Agency has been supporting the local business community with its services since 1987. For further information you can write to CSB at Vincenti Buildings, 14/19 Strait Street, Valletta VLT 08, or call 2122-5800 or 2124-6543, fax: 2123-0520, e-mail: jobs@vacancycentre. com, or visit www.Vacancy Centre.com

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