Businesses urged to prepare to stub it out
The legislation will cover public places and workplaces such as offices, factories, shops, pubs, bars, public transport and work vehicles that are used by more than one person. The law will also mean that indoor smoking rooms will no longer be permitted, so anyone wishing to smoke will have to go outside.
The National Smokefree England Stakeholder Conference, held in London, brought businesses and trade bodies from around the country together to share views and experiences on how businesses can make the transition to becoming smokefree as smooth as possible.
Caroline Flint said: “Our smokefree legislation will produce the single biggest improvement in public health for a generation. Currently only 51 per cent of the workforce enjoy a totally smokefree environment. This legislation will increase that number to more than 99 per cent. The evidence is clear – secondhand smoke kills and there is no safe level of exposure.”
The details of the final sets of smokefree regulations are expected to be finalised shortly. A full set of the guidance explaining the detail of the law and smokefree signage will be freely available to help businesses prepare. Businesses are encouraged to register their details at the Smokefree England campaign website to receive campaign updates and register for final guidance.
The campaign aims to achieve comprehensive awareness of the legislation and full compliance on July 1 2007.
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Susie Hughes
The Editor © Hardhatter 2007