Tobacco Documents Online

3UL-11-'?8 WED 1w5 :5,_, C. E WASH DC P_ 1~- a o. 20 MaR1990 PO 90K S3•330, bnsNnpa Now 39i~.nd lind I UCh ,~8a fsn W 60? YsieDnons 8+4• ~ - - •.  ospitlM1l smbklhg ban looks likely. 9y A{itEN<: GOSS Auckland Area Health Board mem- bers will consider a ban on smoking In hospitals and other board buildings a3 part ot aa smoke-free policy they are eager to tntroduce. Che board's policy and planning committee was asktd yesterday to consider the policy and what form it should take; Board cornmurticationa manager Leorxie 'i'rubshpc said after the meet• ing the committee's recontmendations could be debated at the board's next meeting. An American doctor with strong views agarnst smoking in public buiid• ings told the board !te was tlellghted uhey woro considering taking action, Dr Jarnes RepaGe arrived from Los Angeles just before the meeting to be- gin a round of interviews and public ;,pea king engagements. lilx trip has been sponsorCd by the Auckland Area liealth Board, the Can- cer Mcietv and the Heart Poundation. Dr 1leri;rcc works with the United ;;tptes f:;nvironmcntll 1''rotCction Ageney indoor air progt amme. He has published 22 papers on environmental tobacco smokc. He estimated that 400,000 people died each year In the US from the effects of smoking, while 54,CD04 died from passive smoking. Ylt is irresponsible for people to smoke inside buildings . . . they are genecating a toxic substance that hurts other penple." Tobacco Institute executive director Michael Thompson said he would be watching the development of the board's policy. "We'(the Tobacco Institute) would welcome the opportunity to discuss this. If they sought information wt~ would give it to thcrn." He safd tt was important board rnemb,ers made their own decisions and were not pressured by the Government. 0 In a separate move, the board stated its strong support for Health Minister I3clen Clark'3 efforts to re• duce smoking and remove tobacco sppnsor3tsip f ram spctrt.