There are 30 days
to go until the new smokefree law is introduced. So now is the time to start
getting your staff, premises and work vehicles ready to go smokefree.
1.
Informing Staff and Customers
You will need to
let your staff, customers and visitors know that from July 1st, it will be
against the law to smoke in:
- any 'enclosed' and 'substantially
enclosed' parts of your premises (for a definition of these terms, please
click here.
- work vehicles used by more than one
person and on public transport.
You could
consider:
- introducing a written smokefree policy
for your workplace
- putting up posters to raise awareness.
A sample policy
and posters can be downloaded or ordered
here.
If any of your
staff or customers want to give up smoking ahead of July 1st, the NHS offers a
range of excellent free support, including local NHS Stop Smoking Services and
the Together Programme - an interactive support programme that uses medical
research and insights from ex-smokers to help people stop smoking. For more information
call the NHS Smoking Helpline on
0800
169 0 169 or visit
gosmokefree.co.uk.
2. Smoking Rooms and Shelters
Under the new
smokefree law, smoking rooms will no longer be allowed. So if you have one, it
will need to be closed. In the meantime, why not ask your staff how they'd like
to see it used?
If you're thinking
about building an outdoor smoking shelter, you will need to make sure it is not
'enclosed' or 'substantially enclosed'. You may also need to discuss associated
issues such as planning, licensing, building control, litter and noise with
your local council.
For more
information on getting your business ready to go smokefree, visit the official
Smokefree England website
smokefreeengland.co.uk.
