Summer Date for Launch of Smokefree Workplaces

The smoking ban in all enclosed public places and workplaces in England will begin on July 1st next year, Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt announced yesterday.

Similar rules have already been introduced in the Republic of Ireland and Scotland, and are generally regarded to have been a success. The ban in Wales starts on April 2nd.

The Health Act gained Royal Assent in July, and the restrictions in England will come into effect next summer.

The measures are designed to protect everyone from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke when at work or at leisure, and make it easier for smokers to quit.

Smoking will be prohibited in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces including offices, factories, pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants. People will be asked to smoke outside in order to protect others from exposure to the dangers of secondhand smoke.  

Swindon Borough Council and its partners including the Smoke Free Swindon Partnership will be ensuring that all businesses affected by the change in the law receive advice and support prior to the law coming into force.

Steve Harcourt, Director of Environment and Health, says: “This is the most significant contribution to improving public health in a generation.  My officers will give Swindon businesses all the help they need to ensure compliance”

Independent medical evidence proves that secondhand smoke is bad for health and is known to cause lung cancer, heart disease and asthma attacks as well as many other ailments.  There is no safe level of exposure.

Swindon Borough Council cabinet member for local environment, Councillor David Wren says: “Smoking is the major preventable cause of death and ill-health in our society.  Smoking in the workplace is a health and safety issue; it is not about telling people they cannot smoke, just that they cannot smoke in the workplace as it will harm others.”