Help for businesses to prepare for smoking ban

Advice for businesses to help them prepare for next summer's ban on smoking in public places, has today been published by Rochdale Council.

The 'Smoke-Free Toolkit for Businesses' includes the latest guidance made available from the Government, and includes a model smoke free policy, a five-step guide to implementing the policy and practical advice on the legislation.

The free toolkit aims to help businesses prepare for the smoke free legislation that is due to come into force in summer next year. The toolkit is also in response to a survey of businesses carried out last October by Environmental Health Officers, when a high percentage of the businesses said they would find a smoke free information pack useful.

Twelve hundred randomly-selected businesses across the borough received information, informing them of the proposed legislation and asking that they complete a questionnaire on smoking in the workplace designed to help us help them. The response was excellent.

The survey identified that almost three quarter of businesses in the Rochdale Borough support the legislation to make all enclosed workplaces completely smoke free. Fifty-seven per cent indicated that they are already completely smoke free.

The general perception of businesses is that smoke free legislation will not affect trade and will generally be accepted by employees with little resistance. Many businesses also recognised that having a smoke free policy will improve the health of the workforce.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Alan Taylor said: "We strongly support the move towards smoke free environments. Clearing the air of second hand smoke in public places and workplaces will protect the health of thousands of people across the borough. Now that the Government has announced the draft regulations, Council officers are looking at how we can best prepare for implementation of the intended smoke-free legislation.

"As someone who used to smoke heavily, I know how much encouragement is needed to give up. I hope that efforts to make the borough smoke-free will encourage people to stop smoking."

The Smoke-Free laws will affect all enclosed and substantially enclosed public places and workplaces. The draft regulations propose limited exemptions that are based mainly around residential accommodation. It is likely that your business will be affected.  Environmental Health can send you a copy of the Smoke Free Toolkit for Businesses; just call 01706 924225. Alternatively the toolkit is available on the Councils website at:

www.rochdale.gov.uk

If you are a smoker wishing to give up, call the local Stop Smoking Service on (01706) 708001, between 9am and 4pm.