Entertainment and Information on hand as Rochdale prepares to go smoke-free

Rochdale Council and Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Primary Care Trust are joining forces to help smokers quit and to explain the new rules that come into effect when England goes smoke-free on 1 July.

They are holding roadshows in Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton town centres where smokers will be able to find out about the stop-smoking support available to them, and businesses and other members of the public will be able to find out what the new laws mean for them. There will also be a day of street theatre and entertainment on The Butts to get the message across in a fun and family-friendly way.

Rochdale Council’s Environmental Health Team, which is responsible for ensuring the smoke-free rules are followed, will be on hand to explain the new laws and the new requirements for businesses and other employers. Their colleagues from Environmental Management Services will be there to give advice about controlling cigarette litter and to hand out portable ashtrays.

Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton Stop Smoking Service will be offering smokers advice on how to stop and the free support is available from GPs, the PCT and other health professionals.

The events take place at:

• Wednesday 27 June – Exchange Shopping Centre, Rochdale (9am-4.30pm) and on The Butts (10am-4.30pm). Visit The Butts for smoke-free advice with a difference, thanks to street entertainment provided by Oldham Theatre Workshop. 
• Friday 29 June – Arndale Shopping Centre, Middleton (9am-4.30pm)
• Tuesday 3 July – Magic Market, Heywood (9am-4.30pm)

Rochdale Borough’s Tobacco Free Leader Lisa Barker said: “Most people know about the harmful effects of smoking – not just for smokers but for people around them – so the smoke-free rules that come into effect on 1 July will make a big improvement to people’s future health. The new laws place a number of duties on employers and those responsible for enclosed public places and the penalties are quite severe so it’s vitally important that people understand the new laws. That’s why the council and the PCT have got together to organise these events as a fun and informal way of helping smokers to quit and making sure that everyone understands what the laws will mean for them.”

From 1 July, it will be against the law to smoke in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces. Public transport and work vehicles used by more than one person will also need to be smoke-free. No-smoking signs will have to be displayed in all smoke-free premises and vehicles, and managers of smoke-free premises and vehicles will have legal responsibilities to prevent people from smoking in them.

England is the last part of the UK to introduce laws of this kind. The aim is to make public places much healthier environments by reducing passive smoking, while supporting and encouraging smokers to quit.

Rochdale Borough’s smoke-free activities continue next month with a stop-smoking battle bus which is coming to the area on the 16 and 17 July.  To show people the harmful ageing effects of smoking, smokers will be able to see images of what they will look like in a number of years’ time if they continue the habit. Stop-smoking advisors will also be on the bus providing support to anyone who wants to stop smoking.