NEWS RELEASES
Smoke-free Legislation only hours away
27th June 2007
WITH only a few hours to go before the new smoke-free legislation comes into effect on 1 July, Horsham District Council is reminding everyone what the new law means.
From Sunday (1 July) all enclosed and substantially enclosed public places and workplaces will become tobacco smoke-free.
This includes offices, factories, shops, pubs, bars, restaurants, membership clubs, public transport and most work vehicles used by more than one person.
The new law means that it will be illegal for people to smoke in virtually all enclosed and substantially enclosed public places and workplaces.
There are fixed penalty fines or prosecution for employers, employees and customers for anyone who smokes in a smoke-free place or vehicle or if there is a failure to display suitable ‘No Smoking’ signs.
The new regulations aim to make sure that all customers and employees are protected from the risks to health of exposure to tobacco smoke and guarantee their right to smoke-free air.
The regulations will also help those people who are trying to quit smoking to succeed in environments where social pressures to smoke are reduced.
Speaking this week, Horsham District Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Health, Cllr Brian Donnelly said:
”Horsham District Council is keen to promote the smoke-free legislation as much as possible in order to create a healthier District.
“Our approach to enforcing the new law will be very much first of all make sure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities and what they can and cannot do.
“We are very keen to offer advice and help whenever we can but please be assured that we will enforce the law if it is being broken flagrantly.”
Local businesses can still pick up statutory No Smoking signs free of charge from Horsham District Council. The Council has already given out over 2700 signs to local businesses free of charge. The signs must be displayed in a prominent position at all entrances as from 1 July.
More specific information about being smoke-free in the Horsham District is available from Horsham District Council online or by contacting the Council’s Public Health and Licensing department on 01403 215251, email: publichealth.licensing@horsham.gov.uk
The NHS offers a wide range of excellent and easily accessible support for smokers including local Stop Smoking Services.
For information on prescribed medication and free support to stop smoking contact the West Sussex Stop Smoking Helpline on 01903 708000 or visit the website
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CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk