From 1st of July 2007, virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England will be 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 will become a thing of the past, and indoor smoking rooms will no longer be allowed. Public transport and work vehicles used by more than one person will also need to be 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 think your workplace, pub or club is not a particularly smoky place you maybe be at more harm than you realise.

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 will 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 vehicles 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. 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 and we will provide your local help. We can also provide support for smokers within the workplace

If you wish to Quit while you are ahead of the new laws then give us a ring on 08454 220040

To have regular e-mails about the legislation regarding smokefree as it becomes available.

Please send us your e-mail address.

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