David’s not so secret Valentine

9th February 2006

David Amess MP will be presented with a giant Valentine card, romantic verse and heartfelt pleas to vote to make all workplaces smoke free including vulnerable workers in bars, pubs not serving food and private clubs.   On Friday 10th  February, 1pm at Southend Hospital, a huge Valentine card with a personal poem, will be presented to the MP by front line health staff and constituents campaigning to protect the health and well-being of all workers from tobacco smoke pollution in all workplaces. 
 
The card is being presented to urge David Amess, a member of the Health Select Committee that recommended a complete ban in their recent report on smoking in public places, to support a total ban on smoking in all work places at the vote on Tuesday that coincides with Valentines Day 14th February 2006

On accepting this invitation, David said,

‘I will be delighted to receive this card from healthcare workers at Southend Hospital on Friday in support of a total ban of smoking in public places. I fully stand by the recommendations of the Health Select Committee report to which I was a contributing member. In October last year I was fortunate enough to visit Dublin with the committee to look at how they have implemented a smoking ban there. It did nothing to detract from the wonderful entertainment venues in the city and if anything, made the experience all the more pleasurable for not having to breath in other people’s smoke. Staff in these establishments should be protected from the effects of passive smoking whether they serve food or not. I have always championed healthy lifestyle campaigns in my constituency of Southend West and therefore I welcome the opportunity to participate in this event at Southend Hospital.