SmokeFree

Subject line: 100 days to go until England becomes smokefree

The 100 day countdown begins today. From 1st July 2007, it will be against the law to smoke in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England. Public transport and work vehicles used by more than one person will also be required to be smokefree.

The Government has produced a practical guide to help businesses and organisations prepare for the new law as the countdown begins. This guidance will be mailed to all employing, actively trading businesses registered with Companies House in April. You can also download a copy now at www.smokefreeengland.co.uk/resources.

To comply with the new law, over the coming months you will need to:

• Make staff, customers and visitors aware that premises and vehicles must be smokefree
• Close any existing indoor smoking rooms
• Display 'no-smoking' signs in smokefree premises and vehicles
• Ensure that no-one smokes in smokefree premises or vehicles

Subject line: 90 days to go until England becomes smokefree

Don't forget. As we get nearer to 1st July indoor smoking rooms will no longer be allowed under the new law. If you have one, why not ask staff how they'd like to see it used when England becomes smokefree?

If you're considering building an outdoor smoking shelter you'll need to make sure it is not 'enclosed' or 'substantially enclosed' (see definitions below). You may also need to discuss issues such as planning, licensing, building control, litter and noise with your local council.

Premises will be considered 'enclosed' if they have a ceiling or roof and (except for doors, windows or passageways) are wholly enclosed either on a permanent or temporary basis.

Premises will be considered 'substantially enclosed' if they have a ceiling or roof, but have an opening in the walls, which is less than half the total area of the walls. The area of the opening does not include doors, windows or any other fittings that can be opened or shut.

Subject line: 60 days to go until England becomes smokefree.

As we draw closer to England becoming smokefree, now's the time to make sure that staff, customers and visitors are aware that your premises and work vehicles will be legally required to be smokefree from 1 July 2007. You can order Smokefree England posters to raise awareness ot the new law at www.smokefreeengland.co.uk/resources.

You could also consider introducing a written smokefree policy to ensure staff are aware of the requirements of the new law. A sample policy is available at www.smokefreeengland.co.uk/resources.

Subject line: 30 days to go until England becomes smokefree.

With only one month left to go, do you have your no-smoking signage ready?

You'll need to display A5 signs with the wording 'No Smoking. It is against the law to smoke in these premises' at each entrance to smokefree premises. Smaller signs showing the international no-smoking symbol must be displayed in all smokefree vehicles.

Compliant signage is available to download or order at smokefreeengland.co.uk/resources. Or you can design your own as long as it meets the minimum requirements. See the official Government guidance for details.

If any staff or customers want to give up smoking ahead of 1 July, the NHS offers a range of excellent free support including local NHS Stop Smoking Services and the Together Programme. Call the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169 or visit www.gosmokefree.co.uk for details.

Subject line: One week to go until England becomes smokefree.

England will become smokefree in 6 days. Based on experience from other countries, we are confident that people will respect the new law.

From 1st July onwards, you will need to be prepared to take action if anyone smokes in any smokefree premises or vehicles you are responsible for.

Our advice is to:

• Draw the person's attention to the no-smoking signs and ask them to stop smoking or go outside.
• Point out that they are committing a criminal offence by smoking in a smokefree premises or vehicle
• Remind the person that under the law you have responsibilities to prevent smoking.
• If a customer or visitor continues to smoke, you should consider not serving them and can ask them to leave your premises
• If an employee breaks the law you may wish to consider taking disciplinary action.
• If physical violence is threatened by a person smoking, we suggest you notify and/or seek assistance from the police.

See the flowchart which can be downloaded from www.smokefreeengland.co.uk/resources for suggested steps you can take. You may wish to share this with staff who have managerial responsibilities or who deal with the general public.

From today it is now against the law to smoke or allow smoking in virtually all public places, workplaces, on public transport and in work vehicles.

Here's a checklist to make sure you've done everything you need to to comply with the new law:

• Have you displayed 'no smoking' signs at the entrances to smokefree premises and vehicles?
• Have you closed any indoor smoking rooms that do not comply with the new law?
• Are your staff and customers aware that your premises are now smokefree?
• Are you and your staff prepared to ensure that no-one smokes in smokefree premises or vehicles?
• Do your staff and customers know where they can get support if they want to quit smoking?

England is now smokefree. Enjoy the smokefree air!