York chemist features in smoking campaign

8:10am Friday 22nd December 2006

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A CHEMIST from York is starring in a national advertising campaign warning of the dangers of smoking.

Dr Avtar Matharu, a lecturer in organic chemistry at the University of York, is one of a series of professionals who feature in the powerful national advertising campaign put together by Cancer Research UK and funded by the Department of Health.

The documentary-style adverts feature interviews by TV documentary maker Donal MacIntyre on professional people, such as undertakers and scientists, who use dangerous chemicals on a daily basis.

The professionals are asked what precautions they use to safeguard themselves against the dangerous chemicals they are dealing with, and whether they would be surprised to learn all of them are present in smoke from cigarettes.

Dr Matharu, who lives in Fulford, said he regularly dealt with a variety of highly toxic chemicals including formaldehyde, benzene and arsenic - all of which are present in cigarette smoke.

He said: "Yes, I use chemicals on a daily basis, but I have to pay great respect to health and safety.

"Personal protection and protection of others around me is paramount. Wearing eye and hand protection, laboratory coats and working in well ventilated fume hoods is mandatory.

"Sometimes, we have to be even more cautious and wear respirators.

"I really enjoyed taking part in the adverts. It was totally unscripted.

"When Donal first made contact with us he said he wanted to interview me about chemical safety in the workplace.

"He did not tell me it was going to be part of the Smoke Is Poison campaign until we had finished all the filming - that is why I looked so surprised when Donal said which chemicals are in cigarette smoke.

"Even as a professional chemist I was surprised by what chemicals were on the list, many of which I am using on a daily basis with extreme care. We are so careful in our workplace it surprises me that smokers are willing to inhale cancer inducing smoke which is only a couple of inches away from their nose each time they light up.

"I feel I am making a difference - I am doing my bit for cancer. It is almost like a public service for Cancer Research UK."

Cancer Research UK carried out a survey as part of its campaign.

Most of those questioned could not name a chemical in cigarette smoke, other than nicotine and tar.

According to the charity, tobacco contains 4,000 chemicals, 60 of which are known to cause cancer.

Last year, The Press teamed up with Selby And York Primary Care Trust to set up the Yes! To Clean Air campaign to banish smoking in the workplace.