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Laws which made it illegal for smokers to light up
in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces have been
hailed a success on their first birthday.
From July 1 last year Government legislation banned smoking
inside, and anywhere which was more then half enclosed, to protect
workers from poisonous secondhand smoke.
Figures released by us this week show the regulations have been
accepted by businesses with very high compliance and most
workplaces are now tobacco smoke free.
In the nine months from July 2007 to March 2008 officers worked
with businesses and drivers of vehicles used as a workplace to
assist in complying with this national legislation. As a result
only one fixed penalty noticed was issued to an offender who was
caught repeatedly smoking.
Officers have worked with businesses to ensure that smoking
shelters comply with the legal requirements and the correct signage
is displayed.
Executive member for Environment Cllr Carl Francis-Pester said:
"Local councils have been at the forefront of implementing the
smokefree law in England, the biggest public health change for
fifty years."
"The law has quickly become self-enforcing and only in a very
small minority of cases has it been necessary for us to take
enforcement action."
The council received a one off grant from the Government to
cover the costs of implementing the smokefree laws.
For details of the smokefree laws log onto
www.smokefreeengland.co.uk.
Anyone interested in ditching the habit can contact the North
Somerset NHS Support to Stop smoking service on 01275 546 743 or
email
sts@nsomerset-pct.nhs.uk |