Usdaw backs plans to ban smoking in Private Members' Clubs

Retail union Usdaw is backing an amendment to plans to ban smoking in workplaces that will include private member's club presently exempt under the current proposals.

The union represents bar stewards and stewardess in private member's clubs and believes the amendment originally tabled by Kevin Baron MP will close a loophole that would have serious health implications for its members in club land.

“We represent staff working in private members' clubs who tell us they already work in a very smoky atmosphere which can have very serious health implications for them,” says Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett. “If private members clubs are exempted from the workplace smoking ban then we fear that smokers may just migrate there from pubs making the problems resulting from passive smoking even worse.

“Our members have clearly told us they want members clubs to prosper because their jobs depend on it and they have a loyalty to their establishments which we commend. But they want the same health protection as other workers will receive which is why we're backing this sensible amendment.”

Usdaw acknowledges that some clubs have introduced non-smoking areas but staff still report having to routinely collect glasses and clean in the smoking rooms.

The union also points out that many clubs are situated in older buildings which are extremely difficult to ventilate causing a smoky atmosphere when even a few people are smoking.

“Our members are already reporting that that they can get a lot of abuse when asking club members to stop from smoking at the bar which is already illegal,” says John Hannett. “So we think this amendment will make sure our members can work free of abuse from customers and free from abuse of their lungs.”

Notes to Editors:

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw's Media Officer, Paul Clarke, can be contacted on 0161 249 2469 or e-mail paul.clarke@usdaw.org.uk.
• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union, with over 340,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.
• Journalists can subscribe to receive Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service.

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© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
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