Member Article

English businesses 'unsure' of smoke free regulations

More than one in ten (18%) businesses in England do not realise that their smoking room will have to be closed by 1 July, and more than half (53%) do not realise that work vehicles will also be covered, according to new research. With less than three months to go before England goes smoke free businesses are being urged to get ready for the introduction of the legislation

The research from the Department of Health shows that although three quarters of businesses are aware of the forthcoming legislation, many are unsure of the detail. The Government has already launched a major campaign to prepare businesses for July, including advertising and a mail-out of guidance to more than a million businesses. A dedicated website has also been set up to help businesses and the public to prepare.

Ailsa Rutter, Director of Fresh, Smoke Free North East, said: “Smoking kills between 5,000 and 6,000 North Easterners every year and breathing secondhand smoke also kills 35 of the region’s workers each year. “Many lives will be saved once workplace smoke rooms no longer exist, it’s a great time for workplaces to think about other ways rooms can be used for a more healthy benefits for employees, either smokers or non-smokers.”

The legislation will mean that virtually all enclosed and substantially enclosed public places and workplaces will need to be smoke free, including work vehicles which are used by more than one person. Managers will have legal responsibilities to prevent anyone smoking in smoke free premises and vehicles, and will need to ensure that no-smoking signs are displayed at each entrance to their premises and inside work vehicles.

Through the Smokefree England campaign, the Department of Health has produced a range of guidance and signage to support businesses to prepare for the new law. This is now being mailed to businesses across the country and is available to download from smokefreeengland.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .