Count-down to stubbing out a big health risk

Jun 12 2007 By Sarah Dale, The Journal

On July 1 smoking will be banned from virtually all workplaces and substantially enclosed public areas in England. What effects will this new law have on businesses and their employees and what do employers need to do before the impending deadline? Sarah Dale reports.

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Smoke-free public places and workplaces will provide healthier environments for employees and customers, protecting people from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

Currently only 51% of people report their workplace as being completely smoke-free.

The figure is lowest for people in routine and manual jobs, with 44% reporting that their workplace is completely smoke-free.

There is considerable evidence from all over the world from countries that have introduced legislation for smoke-free public places and workplaces that the impact on the hospitality industry is not detrimental.

Analysis shows that going smoke-free can actually be beneficial to this sector, in particular because three out of four people in England already choose not to smoke and three-quarters of those who do smoke want to give up.

The new law states that at 6am on Sunday, July 1, virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England will become smoke-free.

This is the biggest piece of public health legislation since the Clean Air Act 1956.

Under the new law, employers, managers and those in charge of smoke-free premises and vehicles will need to:

* display "no smoking" signs in smoke-free premises and vehicles

* take reasonable steps to ensure that staff, customers/members and visitors are aware that premises and vehicles are legally required to be smoke-free

* remove any existing indoor smoking rooms

* ensure that no one smokes in smoke-free premises or vehicles

It is also suggested businesses may also want to take supportive measures including:

* develop a smoke-free policy in consultation with staff

* offer staff training to help them understand the new law and what their responsibilities are

* provide staff and customers with support to quit smoking

It is vital that all businesses comply with the new legislation as they may be liable to penalties for those that break the law.

Smokers face a £50 fixed penalty, dropping to £30 if paid in 15 days or rising to £200 if taken to court.

Failure to display "no smoking" signs is punishable with a £200 fine or £1,000 if taken to court.

A maximum £2,500 fine could be imposed on premises managers.

Ailsa Rutter, director of Fresh - Smoke Free North-East, said: "It is vital that businesses across the region start preparing for this date to ensure a smooth transition for all involved.

"There is a variety of information and advice to help businesses gear up including the official website and information line.

"Local authorities in the region are also playing a pivotal role and businesses can contact their local environmental health departments.

"With adequate preparation I am sure that the smoke-free law will be as successful in England as it has been in Ireland and Scotland."

Register for a Smoke-free England pack at www.smokefreeengland.co.uk/stayinginformed or telephone 08001 691 697.

For more details about Fresh - Smoke Free North-East, visit www.freshne.com

Did you know . . .?

Smoking kills between 5,000 and 6,000 people in the North-East every year.

Breathing second-hand smoke kills 35 of the region's workers each year.

In England more than three out of four people don't smoke and nearly three-quarters of those who do smoke say they want to quit.

51% of people currently report that their workplace is completely smoke-free.

Smoke-free world

New York's Smoke-free Air Act came into effect in March 2003.

Ireland went smoke-free in 2004.

Scotland's smoke-free legislation was implemented in March 2006.

Lethal cocktail

Second-hand smoke is simply other people's tobacco smoke and is also known as passive smoke. It contains a cocktail of more than 4,000 different chemicals - more than 50 are known to cause cancer.

It increases the risk in non-smokers of lung cancer by 24% and heart disease by 25%. Just 30 minutes' of exposure is enough to reduce coronary blood flow.