From 1st of July 2007, virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England are smokefree. This means that it will be against the law to smoke in the indoor parts of places such as pubs, bars, nightclubs, cafes and restaurants, lunch rooms, membership clubs and shopping centres. At work, smoking inside is a thing of the past, and indoor smoking rooms is no longer be allowed. Public transport and work vehicles used by more than one person are also smokefree.
Secondhand smoke is bad for health because it is a recognised carcinogen, which means that it is known to cause cancer in humans. Secondhand smoke can significantly increase a non-smokers likelihood of getting lung cancer or heart disease and because 85% of secondhand smoke is invisible and odourless even though you thought your workplace, pub or club before 1st July was not a particularly smoky place you maybe have been at more harm than you realised.
Secondhand smoke can also seriously harm the health of children, and can cause childhood respiratory disease and SIDS.
Secondhand smoke does not only affect the health of non-smokers, but is not good for the health of smokers either. We know that 75% of the population does not smoke and of those that do 70% want to give up.
Employers, managers and those in charge of smokefree premises and vehicles now need to:
• Display 'no smoking' signs in smokefree presmises
• Take reasonable steps to ensure that staff, customers/members and visitors are aware that premises and vehicle are legally required to be smokefree
• Ensure that no one smokes in smokefree premises or vehicles
For more information and to download the exact regulations go to smokefreeengland.co.uk/stayinformed. You can also register on this web site to receive regular e-mails.
If you are an employer and wish to receive advice and support call 08454 220040 or ring your local Environmental Health Officer at your local council offices.
As a Service we can provide support for smokers within the workplace. For further information ring our helpline on 08454 220040.
To have regular e-mails about the legislation regarding smokefree as it becomes available.
