Minister urges businesses to take action immediately
8 February 2007
Public Health Minister Caroline Flint today urged businesses, including pubs, to start preparations now for the smoking ban.
Ms Flint was speaking at the National Smokefree England Stakeholder Conference, in London. A number of pubcos and trade associations shared views and experiences on how businesses can make the transition smoothly.
"Our smokefree legislation will produce the single biggest improvement in public health for a generation" said Ms Flint. "Currently only 51 per cent of the workforce enjoys a totally smoke-free environment.
"This legislation will increase that number to more than 99 per cent.
"The evidence is clear - second-hand smoke kills and there is no safe level of exposure."
Also speaking at the conference were representatives from organisations from Ireland and Scotland who shared the lessons they had learnt.
Originally reported in The Publican
