Passive smoking payout inevitable - AMA
Today's $466,000 passive smoking award to a Wollongong woman was inevitable and should send a stark warning to all clubs and hotels, AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, said today.
Dr Phelps said the AMA has been saying for years that a case like this would succeed sooner or later.
"With the evidence on passive smoking now so overwhelming, it was inevitable that a case like this would be brought and would succeed," Dr Phelps said.
"Hoteliers and bar owners and clubs and pubs and other public venues have no choice but to voluntarily ban smoking in their establishments.
"It is now incumbent upon all State and Territory Governments to review their anti-smoking laws and bring in bans on smoking in all public places, including clubs and hotels, as soon as possible.
"It took litigation to wake up the asbestos industry. This result is the beginning of the same sort of picture for the tobacco industry and the hospitality industry.
"Tobacco smoking and passive smoking are among our most significant public health issues," Dr Phelps said.
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Sarah Bucknell (02) 6270 5472 / (0419) 440 076