New Smoking Law Is Like A Breath Of Fresh Air!
| Thursday, July 12 2007 @ 09:30 AM BST | Contributed by: Admin | Views: 1,141 |
The Blackdown Hills Breathe Easy Group are celebrating now they are able to hold their monthly meetings at their local pub. Until the smoking ban came in on July 1, smokey pubs have been a no-go area for people with lung problems.The meeting was held at the Catherine Wheel Inn, Hemyock, a place where most members have been unable to go to in several years.
Jonathan Meads, chairman of the group and retired GP, said: "Before the introduction of the new law, some of our members were excluded from many public places and social events. As a result, their lives have been severely curtailed."
"We are celebrating, not only for ourselves but for the workers in the pub too."
Smoke can cause breathing difficulties in people with asthma, bronchitis and other lung conditions, leaving many people isolated at home - unable to visit pubs or restaurants.
The group also took advantage of getting people to sign a petition calling on the government to do more for people with lung conditions.
Dr Meads said: "The charter and petition will be a very clear message from lung disease sufferers that they urgently need better diagnosis, treatment and care.
"We want as many people as possible to sign up to the charter and call for local healthcare services to make lung disease a real priority."