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The human cost of tobacco

November 2004

Passive smoking: doctors speak out on behalf of patients

Foreword by Mr James Johnson, BMA Chairman
When we talk about the adverse health effects of passive smoking we often talk about numbers. The BMA believes that each year in the UK at least 1000 people die as a result of second hand smoke. We accept that this is a conservative estimate and the true figure is probably much higher. But it is all numbers and statistics and does not really project the true anguish of each individual case. A father finding out he has lung cancer, a woman giving birth prematurely, a child suffering from asthma, workers having to earn a living in smoke-filled bars, restaurants and pubs.

This report, ‘The Human Cost of Tobacco’ moves away from the numbers game and provides a snapshot of individual case studies. As doctors we see these every day because we are the ones telling patients that they have cancer or heart disease. We are the ones who witness their worlds falling apart.

There is no doubt that giving up smoking can be extremely difficult – like any addiction kicking the habit is no easy task. When smokers decide to quit they are often advised to set a date, bin the cigarettes and then just do it. Support from a doctor or health professional during this time can be invaluable. I am going to give the same advice to the Secretary of State for Health, John Reid.

In the forthcoming White Paper on Public Health for England, he should set a date for banning smoking in all enclosed public places, this will give the bars and restaurants time to bin their ash-trays and then these workplaces will just have to abide by the law. John Reid already has the support of the medical profession.

The politicians in Ireland, Norway and New York have decided to put the health of their citizens first by banning smoking in enclosed public places. Surely we have a right to ask the same from our Governments?

For more information on smoking and second hand tobacco smoke go to www.doctorsandtobacco.org

Some of the details in these quotes have been changed to protect the identity of patients.

* denotes doctors who have supplied quotes but have asked not to be named in this document.

Produced by the Public Affairs Office, British Medical Association (Scotland), 14 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1LL. Designed by the BMA publications unit.