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100 days to go smokefree
The 75 per cent of Surrey's population who are non-smokers can literally breathe a sigh of relief on July 1 when the much awaited smokefree laws come into force.
But smokers and anyone responsible for a smokefree place need to make sure now that they understand what the new laws will mean for them.
On March 23 it will be 100 days until the legislation comes into force and those in charge of smokefree premises will be responsible for ensuring that no-one smokes there and that the correct no smoking signs are displayed. Equally anyone using smokefree premises must not smoke inside them.
Environmental Health Officer at Surrey Heath Borough Council, Justine Fuller, who is responsible for overseeing the smokefree legislation, said: "Not everyone is sure about how the laws will apply. There is no exemption for pubs which don't serve food and other enclosed premises such as private clubs and most work vehicles, cabs and lorries will have to be smokefree. There are simple things you can get wrong such as, thinking you are exempt from the law when you are not, forgetting to display the right signage or smoking somewhere without checking if it's smokefree. With just 100 days to go, you need to check now what you need to do. So it's in everyone's interests that people use the free help available."
The Surrey Smokefree Alliance, of which Surrey Heath Borough Council is a partner, is publicising ten top tips to help people prepare for the legislation.
1) Get help and advice from the local agencies listed at smokefreesurrey.
2) If you are in charge of premises double check if you need to be smokefree from July 1. It is likely you will as the law includes most places that are enclosed or "substantially" enclosed. This includes virtually all: offices, factories, shops, pubs, bars, restaurants, membership clubs and most work vehicles used by more than one person.
3) Register at smokefreeengland or call 0800 169 1697 for updates and free signage. Get the right signage and display it properly.
4) Ring Environmental Services at Surrey Heath Borough Council for advice on 01276 707100.
5) Call the NHS stop smoking service for free help with setting up smokefree policies or giving up smoking for you or your staff on 0845 602 3608.
6) Use bins. Install them outside for smokers if you are a business, or if you are a smoker why not get a portable bin? For information on bins.
7) If you are going to build a smokers' shelter check it meets the regulations. For information about obtaining planning permission for smoking shelters. Also think about cheaper alternatives like branded parasols and jackets.
8) If you are a smoker, make sure you don't smoke in a smokefree space.
9) If you smoke outside a pub or club for example, please think about neighbours by keeping the noise down and being careful how you dispose of cigarettes.
10) It is your right to smoke in your own home, and this is not affected by the new laws. But health experts are asking smokers to think about the health affects on anyone sharing the house. They are also asking you to consider people working in your home, by not smoking in the same room while they are there and making sure any rooms are ventilated in advance.
Some businesses in Surrey Heath are already reaping the benefits of going smokefree, this includes Pizza Express, Subway, Costa Coffee, MacDonalds, Café Nino, C'est la vie Sophie, Camberley Rugby Football Club and The Inn@West End.
The Surrey Smokefree Alliance is made up of: Elmbridge Borough Council, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council,Guildford Borough Council, Mole Valley District Council, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, Runnymede Borough Council, Spelthorne Borough Council, Surrey Heath Borough Council, Tandridge District Council, Waverley Borough Council, Woking Borough Council, Surrey County Council, Surrey NHS Primary Care Trust Stop Smoking Service, Surrey Police, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and many local strategic partnerships.
58 per cent of Surrey people said in research that the new laws would not affect the way they used businesses and 34 per cent said they would use cafes and restaurants more once the law comes in.
There is also considerable international evidence from countries that have introduced smokefree legislation that the impact on the hospitality industry is not detrimental and can in fact be beneficial. For example in New York, business tax receipts in restaurants and bars were up by 8.7 per cent after the first year of going smoke free. (Source LACORS & Smoke Free England website). In national surveys by the Office for National Statistics, 91 per cent wanted smoking restrictions in restaurants, 86 per cent wanted them at work and 65 per cent in pubs.
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Ref: News 414
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