Back the ban say medical experts

WE applaud the Minister for Health and Children, Micheál Martin, for his plan to ban smoking from the workplace from January 1 next.

As professionals who daily witness the misery and suffering caused by smoking-associated diseases, we urge your readers to support the minister and in particular to commend his plans to their public representatives to ensure he has the full support of his party in this crucial and far-seeing initiative. We believe this is truly a matter of life and death.

The life expectancy of Irish males is among the lowest in western Europe. Up to 30% of all cancers in this country are caused by smoking. Our health service cannot deal effectively with the burden of disease related to this epidemic. At any one time up to 50% of hospital beds may be occupied by people suffering from diseases caused by tobacco smoking. The poorest and most disadvantaged in our society suffer most from this plague.