SMOKERS in Halton have a fortnight to go before the smoking ban ends their days of lighting up in pubs, clubs and restaurants.
There will be a ban on smoking in virtually all enclosed workplaces and public spaces in England from July 1.
Public health officials are urging businesses to take action now, to ensure compliance with the new laws.
'We are aware that there are still a number of businesses which think the legislation won't apply to them,' said Eileen O'Meara, assistant director of public health.
'But the simple message is that every business in the borough will be affected, and will have to take steps to comply with the law.
'There is plenty of support and advice available, and we would urge employers to contact us if they need help.'
From July 1, employers, managers and those in charge of smoke-free premises and vehicles will need to:
* Display no smoking signs in smoke-free premises and vehicles.
* Take reasonable steps to ensure staff, customers/members and visitors are aware premises and vehicles are legally required to be smoke-free.
* Remove any existing indoor smoking rooms.
* Ensure no-one smokes in smoke-free premises or vehicles.
Businesses are also being urged to think about:
* Removing ashtrays from smoke-free areas.
* Developing a smoke-free policy.
* Offering staff training to help them understand the new law and what their responsibilities are regarding providing staff and customers with support to quit smoking.
Questions answered
* WHEN does the smoke-free legislation come into effect?
The Health Act 2006 comes into effect in England at 6am on Sunday, July 1 2007.
* What is the aim of the smokefree legislation?
The new law will protect all people in virtually all enclosed public places, workplaces, public vehicles and work vehicles, from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.
* Which premises will be affected?
The new legislation will cover virtually all enclosed and substantially enclosed public places and workplaces, including shops, offices, factories, pubs, restaurants, public transport, and work vehicles that are used by more than one person. Indoor workplace smoking rooms will also disappear so anyone wishing to smoke will have to go outside instead.
* How many premises will be affected by the smoke-free legislation?
In England there are 3.7m workplaces and businesses which will need to go smokefree.
* What constitutes a workplace?
Premises that are places of work for more than one person will be required to be smokefree at all times even if people work there at different times of the day or only intermittently.
* Will the regulations include all vehicles?
The new law will not apply to vehicles that are used primarily for private rather than work purposes. Where a vehicle is used for work by more than one person, regardless of whether they are in the vehicle at the same time, it will be required to be smokefree at all times. This means taxis will be required to be smokefree at all times, regardless of whether there are passengers on board. Smoking will be permitted in vehicles that are for the sole use of the driver and are not used as a workplace by anyone else, either as a driver or passenger. This means company cars drivers must adhere to the ban if they share their car with any colleagues.
* Which premises are exempt from the smokefree legislation?
There are very few exemptions permitted by the smokefree legislation and they are limited to specified areas in certain categories of premises. Designated smoking rooms can be provided in 'any premises where a person has his home, or is living permanently or temporarily', such as hotels, care homes, hospices and prisons. Smoking will also be permitted by actors on-stage during a performance, for sampling in specialist tobacconists and on offshore oil rigs.
* Can I still smoke in my home?
Yes. The Government has no intention to make private dwellings and private residential spaces smokefree.
* Have other parts of the UK gone smokefree?
Yes. Scotland'' ban has been in place since March 2006, while Wales and Northern Ireland went smokefree this year on April 2 and April 30 respectively. The Republic of Ireland was the first country in Europe to go smokefree in 2004.
* Who is responsible for enforcing the smokefree legislation?
Local councils will be responsible for enforcing the Health Act 2006.
* How will councils enforce the new law?
The approach to enforcement will be educational and non-confrontational, focused on raising awareness and understanding to ensure compliance.
* How likely are people to abide by the new laws?
All the evidence from other parts of the UK and Ireland which already have smokefree legislation suggests that the vast majority of people will abide by the new law.
* What will happen to people who light up in a prohibited area?
Council enforcement officers can give out fixed penalty notices of £50 to people who they believe are smoking or have smoked - this is reduced to £30 if paid within 15 days. If it goes to court, the maximum fine is £200.
* How many council officers will be enforcing the smokefree legislation?
A government-run training course is expected to be completed by around 1,200 council officers before July 1. That is not to say that there will be 1,200 officers patrolling bars and clubs each day - they will simply be certified to enforce the Health Act 2006 as and when is necessary.
* Can enforcement officers close a pub for deliberately flouting the smokefree legislation?
There is no provision in smoke-free legislation for smokefree offences to result in a review of a pub's license.
