Smoke Free Success

 

The smoke free legislation came into force on 1 July 2007.  The Health Act 2006 and associated smoke free legislation makes virtually all indoor public places, including work vehicles, smoke-free.  This is a ground breaking piece of legislation to protect the health of all workers and heralds a major public health advance.  It has been positively received in Huntingdonshire.  Local businesses have shown their support with 100% maintaining smoke free enclosed environments and displaying the correct no smoking signage.

 

Which public places does the ban cover?

 

Any enclosed or ‘substantially enclosed’ public places are now smoke-free.  So it is no longer legal for people to smoke inside a pub, but they can smoke outside in the garden.  Currently there is no legal distance a person has to be away from a building whilst they are smoking.  However, it is important for businesses to consider social and environmental issues if people are smoking outside.  The ban also covers work vehicles at all times such as taxis and company vehicles if they are used by more than one person.

 

View the links for information sheets which you may find useful and can be downloaded free of charge.  They are for the following businesses: working men’s clubs, eating places, pubs and clubs, schools, information for company vehicles, residential homes and taxis.

 

How do I recognise a non-smoking area?

 

All public places and vehicles should now display ‘no smoking’ signs.  The signs have to be of standard size, display the standard ‘no smoking’ logo and have specific wording on them which states that it is against the law to smoke on the premises.

 

If your business is not displaying the signs or you have a query over which sign to use then you can contact the Smoke-Free Implementation officer at Huntingdonshire District Council on 01480 388582. You may also require advice on implementing a smoking policy.

 

The National Clean Air Award is awarded to any business with a smoke free policy.  Please view the link to see how your business can achieve this award.

 

What Exemptions are there and why?

 

The legislation does not cover the home.  There are also some exemptions for residential care homes, long-term residential mental health units and prisons, offices within the home used by employees.  However, employees in these premises still have the right to work in a healthy environment.  So in these premises smoking will only be allowed in a designated area, bedrooms and only by residents or their visitors.  Staff working in these premises will not be able to smoke in the buildings.

 

Keep your business smokefree

 

·                     Remove ashtrays

·                     Introduce a smokefree policy

Businesses can find some useful advice, statistics and fact sheets from Ash through the link on the right.

What can employers and occupiers of premises do now?

 

The legislation has proved highly effective at creating a smoke free environment, which has encouraged many people to stop smoking.  However, you may wish to provide additional support for employees who want to stop smoking.  Smoking results in lost productivity caused by unpaid breaks, increased absenteeism and cleaning costs.

 

Cambridge PCT and Huntingdonshire District Council have joined forces to offer FREE Stop Smoking Support to businesses and their employees in Huntingdonshire.

 

Camquit Stop Smoking Service and Huntingdonshire District Council can provide:

 

·                     Access to a specialist Stop Smoking advisor who will come to your workplace and run a stop smoking clinic on-site.

·                     Free training to a key member of staff within your business to enable your business to run in-house stop smoking clinics.

 

If you wish to discuss this free service further then you should contact Oliver Langford on 01480 388582 or Zoe Harvey on 01480 418662.

 

Where else can I find help?

 

·                     Oliver Langford, Smoke-Free Implementation Officer, Huntingdonshire District Council on 01480 388582

·                     Visit Smoke Free England

·                     Zoe Harvey, Cambridgeshire Tobacco Control Officer on 01480 418662 or e-mail zoe.harvey@hinchingbrooke.nhs.uk

·                     Camquit on 01480 418693

·                     Your local GP

·                     Many pharmacists are trained in smoking cessation.

 

Enforcement

 

The Council’s Implementation staff is working closely with businesses, to support and maintain smoke-free compliance.  Inspections are ongoing and are either pro-active i.e. to confirm compliance; or reactive, in response to complaints.

 

Complaint

 

If you notice someone smoking in a smoke-free place then please contact us on 01480 388582, or National Compliance Line on 0800 587 1667, or e-mail oliver.langford@huntsdc.gov.uk

 

Your details will be treated in confidence. Please provide us with

 

·                     Your name and contact details

·                     Premises of concern

·                     Name of alleged offender

·                     Further details. e.g. gender

·                     Date and time of alleged offence