Beware smokescreen: advocate

The Packet & Times (Orillia)
Mon 29 Nov 2004

Letter to the editor:

It's important for your readers to note that objections to tobacco control policies voiced by mychoice.ca president Nancy Daigneault are being put forward courtesy of $2.5 million in funding to her from the Canadian Tobacco Manufacturers Council.

Tobacco industry-funded front groups are nothing new: when the Ontario Tobacco Control Act was passed in 1993-4, something called the Smokers Freedom Society --again funded by the tobacco industry -- emerged to supposedly represent the views of smokers.

To cater to smokers, Daigneault calls for designated smoking rooms (DSRs) in various establishments. She obviously hasn't done her research: of over 100 DSRs tested in York Region during the past two years, 78 per cent failed to meet minimum operational standards. Filters were not cleaned, air supply was insufficient, and doors were left open. These results are mirrored by anecdotal information from municipalities throughout the Golden Horseshoe which allow DSRs.

Daigneault also hasn't done her research when it comes to the health of workers in establishments like casinos.

Numerous WSIB claims for health damage from second-hand smoke exposure are ongoing on behalf of Casino Windsor workers, and casino and bar workers in general are among those at highest risk of health damage from exposure on the job.

But then, the tobacco industry is almost alone in believing that second-hand smoke is not a health hazard. And only the tobacco industry would use the word "choice" when naming a group designed for users of a product which is as or more addictive than heroine or crack cocaine.

Michael Perley
director
Ontario Campaign for Action on Tobacco