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Preparing for a smokefree Surrey Heath
Surrey Heath Borough Council is urging businesses to be prepared for new legislation which will see all enclosed public places and work places in the Borough become smokefree from 1 July 2007.
This is in response to the Health Act 2006 which requires all businesses in England to comply with legislation which aims to secure a healthier environment for people to work, travel and socialise, free from secondhand smoke. The Borough Council has already confirmed its commitment to the new legislation by banning smoking in all its workplaces in June 2006 and urges other businesses to be prepared for doing the same.
The legislation will apply to nearly all enclosed or substantially enclosed work places where more than one person works whether paid or unpaid. These will include offices, factories, shops, pubs, bars, public transport and work vehicles which are used by more than one person. Volunteering organisations are also covered by the legislation so if, for example, a village hall is holding an event staffed by volunteers, the organiser has a duty of care to ensure the venue is smokefree. The law also means that indoor workplace smoking rooms must disappear.
The Borough Council has been working in partnership with the Smokefree Surrey Alliance for the past year to help businesses prepare for the new legislation. This has included producing a leaflet which was sent to all taxi and private hire car drivers informing them of how the legislation will apply to them. The Council's Environmental Health Officers also had an exhibition stand at the Council's September Business Breakfast Meeting and informed business people who attended how the legislation will affect them. Talks have also been held with Camberley Pub Watch and the Surrey Chambers of Commerce, with more events being planned over the coming months.
From July 1 businesses will not only have to ensure their premises are smokefree, but they will also have to display the legally required signs at the entrances to the premises. The regulations will be enforced by Borough Council` Environmental Health Officers. People who do not comply with the law will be liable to a fixed penalty notice or prosecution and a fine for the offences of:
? Smoking in a smokefree place
or vehicle
? Failing to display a no smoking sign
? Allowing smoking in a smokefree place or vehicle
Portfolio Holder for Regulatory
Services and Special Projects Cllr Stewart Stevenson said:
"Not only will becoming smokefree benefit people's health it is also
believed that a smokefree Borough will encourage more residents to use
restaurants, cafes, pubs, bars and clubs more often thus benefiting the
local economy."
He continued: "To help implement the new legislation and educate businesses about what it means for them, the Council will use a grant from the Department of Health to fund new temporary Environmental Health Officer roles and will also use it to cover the cost of providing publicity leaflets and information for businesses. Going smokefree will be at no extra cost to the taxpayer."
The Department of Health allocated the Council £6,391 for 2006/07 and £31,300 for 2007/08 which can be used to help implement the legislation.
Pizza Express in Camberley, along with Camberley Rugby Football Club and The Inn @ West End are among Surrey Heath businesses which have already committed to protecting staff and customers from harmful secondhand smoke by going smokefree.
Glenda Salvaggio Manager at Pizza Express (pictured) said the branch went smokefree in August 2006 following requests from its customers. She said: "The restaurant has been busier since we went smokefree with many more families dining here. Customers are very happy when they ask for a non-smoking table and we tell them we are completely smokefree. Any customers who are smokers just go outside now if they want a cigarette, because at the end of the day they come here to enjoy the food."
Proprietor at The Inn @ West End Gerry Price said: "We went totally smokefree from June 19. We had just spent £50,000 upgrading our toilets, garden and dining room and felt it was a good time to start."
He continued: "We are a dining pub which gave us quite an advantage and although we have lost a few drinkers who liked to smoke, the overwhelming response has been very positive."
Mr Price said businesses could approach the new legislation by being sympathetic to customers who are smokers and by helping them give up. He suggested offering a prize for the customer who gives up first or who comes up with the best compromise solution.
Chairman of the Governance Committee at Camberley Rugby Club Roger Chamberlain said: "Following special internal fundraising as part of Camberley Rugby Club's 75th anniversary celebrations, it was decided to refurbish the main bar on the first floor. This included new flooring and seating. In view of this, and with the Government's intention to bring in a 'no smoking' policy in 2007, it was agreed a 'no smoking' policy should be adopted at the club from when the bar re-opened in August."
He added: "For members and guests who still smoke large ashtrays are available outside the club house at Watchetts Recreation Ground."
Businesses are being encouraged not to wait for the introduction of the legislation but to act now to create a smokefree environment for their employees and visitors. It is estimated there are 2,200 business premises in the Borough which will fall under the legislation of which 518 will be new premises for Environmental Health Officers to visit.
For information on obtaining planning permission for smokefree shelters.
Free help and advice is available to all businesses from the NHS Stop Smoking Service on 0845 602 3608 or from Surrey Heath Environmental Health on 01276 707 346. To view a list of businesses where you can eat and socialise in a smokefree environment.
For more information about the legislation. If you would like to add your business to the list please contact 01276 707 346.
For additional information about the legislation.The Department of Health will be sending information to all businesses in the Borough prior to the regulations coming into force.
For those who wish to give-up smoking, the NHS provides a wide range of free resources and advice. For more information call 0800 1690169.
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