Passive smoking

The GMB general union has called on tobacco giant Philip Morris to invest its profits in cleaning up smoking-related problems instead of covering up the effects of smoking.

Its comments follow publication of a report in the medical journal, The Lancet, concerning allegations that scientists paid by the tobacco industry attempted to infiltrate and discount the findings of a 10-year study into the effects of passive smoking by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The study showed a 16% increase in lung cancer among non-smokers exposed to cigarette smoke.

Graham Hassell, GMB licensed premises organiser, said: "Philip Morris would do well to invest its money in helping pub owners and the rest of the leisure industry to install proper ventilation and air filtration in licensed premises and so clear the air of its potential danger".