McCarthy calls for smoke free laws

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 15th Apr 2004

Alliance Alderman Kieran McCarthy has succeeded in having Ards Borough Council call for legislation to ban smoking in workplaces in Northern Ireland.

Mr McCarthy, who is also Alliance Party Health Spokesperson, was pleased with the passage of his proposed motion to Council. He said:

"I was impressed by statements by cancer expert, Professor Patrick Johnston, that a smoking ban in workplaces would cut cancer deaths in Northern Ireland by a third.

"Considering the financial and human costs of smoking-related illness and cancer, it just made sense to support smoke free working environments.

"With the vote, Ards Council supports smoke free laws, like those in the Republic of Ireland. The approved motion calls upon Health Minister, Angela Smith, to bring forward legislation for such laws here."