16th July 2003, 9:46 PM
Quote:Passive smoking 'killing workers'
Tobacco smoke is linked to many diseases
Passive smoking at work kills three people every day, according to research.
The study found that around 900 office workers, 165 bar workers and 145 manufacturing workers die each year as a direct result of breathing in other people's tobacco smoke at work.
It also found that there are three times as many deaths a year from passive smoking at work as there are from workplace injuries.
It is estimated that three million people in the UK are exposed to second-hand smoke while at work.
More people died in 2002 from passive smoking at work in the UK than were killed by the Great London smog of 1952
James Repace
Study was carried out by James Repace, who has previously conducted research into passive smoking for the California Department of Health.
He said: "More people died in 2002 from passive smoking at work in the UK than were killed by the Great London smog of 1952.
"This study shows that previous research has seriously underestimated the number of people killed by second-hand smoke at work."
Source: <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2925633.stm">BBC News</a>
Now call me crazy, but I think the BBC is a pretty reputable source.
You don't NEED one documented case. There are plenty of cases that speak for themselves.
I've always found smoking to be a nusiance, and believe the government has a right to ban it in public family places. Not a bar, however. When you're 21, you are pretty capable of making choices and knowing their outcome -- whether it's working at that bar or drinking there.