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01/12/2006
England smoking ban to begin on July 1
The ban on smoking in public places and workplaces in England will come into effect from July 1, the government has announced.
The ban, which will affect virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces, will come into effect from 6am. This will include offices, factories, shops, pubs, bars, restaurants, membership clubs, public transport and work vehicles that are used by more than one person.
The law will also ban indoor 'smoking rooms', meaning that smokers will need to go outside instead.
All smokefree premises and vehicles will be required to display no-smoking signs.
The regulations providing the detail of how the smokefree legislation will operate are being finalised and will be laid before Parliament shortly.
Commenting on the ban, Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said: "This is a triumph for public health and a huge step forward for health protection. Thousands of people's lives will be saved and the health of thousands more protected. Smokefree legislation will protect everyone from the harm of secondhand smoke when working, socialising and relaxing and will provide a more supportive environment for smokers who wish to give up."
The Health Secretary has also launched a new Smokefree England campaign, which aims to help the country's 3.7 million businesses including nearly 200,000 pubs, bars, restaurants and other leisure outlets prepare for the implementation of the legislation.
Smoking bans have already been introduced in Scotland and the Irish Republic and bans will be introduced in Wales and Northern Ireland in April 2007.
(KMcA)
The ban, which will affect virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces, will come into effect from 6am. This will include offices, factories, shops, pubs, bars, restaurants, membership clubs, public transport and work vehicles that are used by more than one person.
The law will also ban indoor 'smoking rooms', meaning that smokers will need to go outside instead.
All smokefree premises and vehicles will be required to display no-smoking signs.
The regulations providing the detail of how the smokefree legislation will operate are being finalised and will be laid before Parliament shortly.
Commenting on the ban, Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said: "This is a triumph for public health and a huge step forward for health protection. Thousands of people's lives will be saved and the health of thousands more protected. Smokefree legislation will protect everyone from the harm of secondhand smoke when working, socialising and relaxing and will provide a more supportive environment for smokers who wish to give up."
The Health Secretary has also launched a new Smokefree England campaign, which aims to help the country's 3.7 million businesses including nearly 200,000 pubs, bars, restaurants and other leisure outlets prepare for the implementation of the legislation.
Smoking bans have already been introduced in Scotland and the Irish Republic and bans will be introduced in Wales and Northern Ireland in April 2007.
(KMcA)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Dry in the southeast at first otherwise widespread light rain or drizzle for most. It will turn mostly dry towards dawn, although a few patches of light rain or drizzle continuing, mainly in the southwest. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
