North East bar staff sign GMB's second-hand smoke register

The GMB has today launched a register targeting employees who are currently or have been previously exposed to second hand smoke in preparation for any potential legal claims.

The register, backed by Fresh - Smoke Free North East, the TUC and Thompsons, the UK's leading trade union law firm, is aimed at all workers but especially those who work in bars, pubs, clubs and casinos. We will ask employees throughout the North East to let us know if they are exposed to other people's smoke​Jim Marshall GMB

Andy Graham from Fresh comments: "All workers deserve the same level of protection from secondhand smoke and we fully support the GMB Registration Form.​

Often, people are not aware of the damage to health that working in a smoking environment can do and for any worker exposed to secondhand smoke, the health effects may not become apparent for a number of years. ​

All workers must be protected, especially bar workers who are exposed to four to six times more secondhand smoke than the average office worker.​

This is why all MPs must vote on the Health Bill on February 14 for a total ban on smoking in all workplaces". ​

Jim Marshall, GMB regional health & safety officer states that:

"Many workplaces have banned smoking but it's clear that many workers especially those in the hospitality trade, are still suffering exposure to a well-known killer.​

"Employees need to understand that if they are exposed to harmful chemicals and toxins from secondhand smoke whilst at work, their health could be seriously damaged. ​

This is why we are launching a Register and we will ask employees throughout the North East to let us know where they work and whether they are exposed to other people's smoke.​

"Breathing secondhand smoke kills three times more workers than accidents in the workplace and 35 North East workers die every year from secondhand smoke - a workers right to a healthy and safe workplace must be a priority," ​says Marshall.

The British Beer and Pub Association and morningadvertiser.co.uk have joined forces to provide licensees with a form which can be downloaded and sent to your MP to lobby for a total smoke ban.

To download the form you will need Adobe Acrobat which is a free program that you can download and install from here​, just follow the steps online.

You can download our form by clicking here. Simply print out the form and fill it out and send it on to your local MP. The form can be folded in half and stuck together to make a postcard - or simply place it in an envelope.

To find out who your MP is click on this link and enter your postcode in the top box.​

You may be able to email them directly from the MP locator site.

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