95 days and counting

Last Friday, 23 March was a significant day leading up to smokefree England; it marked the 100 day countdown to the implementation of the regulations which will come into force on 1 July.

Thousands of businesses will be affected by the new regulations, which will come in to force with the objective of protecting employees and the public from the effects of second-hand smoke and Stratford-on-Avon District Council will be working closely with local businesses to build compliance through education, advice and support.   

In England the new legislation will cover virtually all enclosed and substantially enclosed public places and workplaces, including shops, offices, factories, pubs, restaurants, public transport, and work vehicles that are used by more than one person.  Indoor workplace smoking rooms will also disappear so anyone wishing to smoke will have to go outside instead.  

Those who do not comply with the new legislation may be liable to a fine or prosecution if found smoking in a smokefree place or vehicle, failing to display a no-smoking sign or allowing smoking in a smokefree place or vehicle.  

A survey of people in the West Midlands, commissioned by the Department of Health, shows that:

76% of people in the West Midlands support the legislation;

65% of people in the West Midlands say that the legislation will not affect how often they go to the pub and 16% of the population in the West Midlands say they will go more often;

79% of people in the West Midlands believe that going smokefree will have a positive effect on health.  

A survey of businesses across England also shows widespread awareness with 77% of all businesses in England already aware of the smokefree legislation.  In England there are 3.7 million businesses which will need to go smokefree.