Smoking ban good for workers' health says union

A smoking ban in bars, casinos and restaurants would protect hospitality industry workers from proven harm, their union said yesterday.

A parliamentary health select committee had tabled a report on Tuesday that said ventilation would not provide enough protection for employees from second-hand smoke.

Instead, it proposed a total ban, which angered hospitality industry chiefs, who said the "draconian" measure would drive customers to private drinking dens, and lead to millions of dollars being wiped off a national casino operator's share price.

Service and Food Workers' Union national secretary Darien Fenton said the ban recognised that hospitality workers should have the same rights to a safe workplace as office workers.

"The reality is that many hospitality workers are in low-paid and casual work, and they are also being exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke; a known environmental danger," Ms Fenton said.

By carrying out the lawful instructions of their employer, hospitality workers put themselves at risk from second-hand smoke, Ms Fenton said.

"It is a brave staff member who says no to a direction to wait at a table in the smoking part of the restaurant.

"I believe workers have both a moral and a legal right to refuse to work in unsafe environments."

Meanwhile, chartered clubs fear the new legislation will lead to a exodus of members.

Andy Brown, general manager of Christchurch's Woolston Club, said the committee's decision not to give a dispensation to chartered clubs would have a significant impact on their finances, at least in the short to medium term.

He expected turnover would drop 30 to 40 per cent.

"Probably 40 per cent of our members are smokers - and quite a few of them are heavy smokers. We're going to have to work hard to encourage them that this is still a good place to come," Mr Brown said.

If turnover did drop because of the ban, the whole community would feel the impact, as profits from the club were returned through grants and sponsorship.

- NZPA