SmokeFree

There are a number of reasons why it is important that environments have become smokefree.

The new smokefree law helps to improve health in many ways. There is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals in the form of particles and gases - some of these chemicals are dangerous poisons. Secondhand smoke is bad for health - it is known to cause cancer as well as many other serious health problems. Just thirty minutes exposure is enough to reduce coronary blood flow.

In 2004 the Choosing Health White Paper on public health was released, which highlights how the public can make healthier and more informed choices in regards to their health. It was from this that the government set out a clear strategy to tackle smoking and its effects on health. The Health Act, or 'smokefree law', passed by Parliament in 2006 makes virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces smokefree. This law came into effect on July 1st 2007.

Smokefree law:

• recognises a person's right to be protected from the harm of secondhand smoke and to breathe smokefree air
• helps people trying to give up smoking by providing supportive smokefree environments
• reduces illness and the number of deaths from medical conditions caused by secondhand smoke
• improves life expectancy because fewer people will take up smoking in the first place
  

Read more about the background to smokefree law with our timeline