Council backs business to get smoke-free

Rochdale Council leaders believe local businesses will get behind the Government's new smoke-free law when it is introduced on July 1.

Under the new law, smoking will be banned in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces such as offices, shops, bars and pubs, community venues, public transport and taxis. No smoking signs must also be displayed in buildings and vehicles. Indoor smoking rooms will no longer be allowed.

Nearly every workplace in the borough will be affected by the new regulations. The new law also covers any vehicle used as a place of work by more than one person.

The Council will have the responsibility for enforcing the new legislation and will have the power to issue a £50 fine to anyone caught smoking in a public indoor venue. If venue owners allow people to smoke on their premises, they can be issued with a £2500 fine. Fines are also payable if venues do not display adequate no smoking signs.

Councillor Wera Hobhouse, Rochdale Council's Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: "So far, the reaction of local businesses to the new legislation has been very encouraging. In April, 500 businesses attended our workshops on the new law and we have had a positive response to the 3000 smoke-free tool kits we have been sending out since last October. The overwhelming majority have welcomed the help we have been able to offer and have acted quickly to comply with the law.

Over the coming months, we will continue to work closely with businesses to help them comply with the new regulations.  However if we find people are ignoring the law, we have powers to enforce it."

The law protects employees, customers and visitors from the harmful effects of second hand smoke by having smoke-free workplaces and public spaces.

In the run up to July 1, Rochdale Council and Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Primary Care Trust are joining forces to run a series of events around the borough to help smokers quit and to explain the new smoke-free law.

Councillor Dale Mulgrew, Rochdale Council's Cabinet Member for Health, said: "The new law exists to protect people from the harmful effects of second hand smoke which can cause lung cancer, heart disease and other serious illnesses. The Council's aim is to protect the public and to make a cleaner and healthier environment for everyone to work in and visit.

"Both the Council and Primary Care Trust also recognise that the passing of this new law provides a golden opportunity for current smokers to kick the habit and to support this the Primary Care Trust are redoubling their efforts to help people who want to quit around this time. Nevertheless, it will take a while for us to adapt to these new laws, but this will only cause the future health of the Borough to improve greatly."

Information is available from the Smoke Free England National Compliance Line on 0800 587 1667 or from the Council's Smoke Free Team on 01706 924225.