Bars urged to start smoking ban early

1:21pm Thursday 22nd March 2007

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Pubs in Sussex have been told to start putting up No Smoking signs now - 101 days before the ban comes into force.

The call came from Health Minister Caroline Flint, who said businesses needed to start "preparing for compliance" immediately.

It means smokers in some boozers might find themselves being told to stub out their cigarettes a little earlier than expected.

Ms Flint, who tomorrow launches a 100-day countdown to the smoking ban, said: "On July 1, all enclosed public places and workplaces will become smoke-free, a measure supported by the majority of people in this country.

"The new law will protect everyone from the harm of secondhand smoke at work and in public places, and will save lives.

"We are now entering an important period, when all businesses should start preparing for compliance. They should be removing all smoking rooms and start putting up no smoking signs."

Businesses who fail to display No Smoking signs or who allow smoking in a smoke-free place face fines and possible prosecution.

Ms Flint said she was confident everyone "should" be ready in time.

But a survey carried out for the Department of Health found 25 per cent of businesses were still unaware of the legislation.

The Government plans to send out guidance and no smoking signs to 1.7 million business in England next month to raise awareness and help them comply.

Carol Undy, National Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "With just 100 days to go until smokefree legislation comes into effect in England, now is the time for businesses to make sure they know what they need to do to comply with the law."

The survey of businesses and the public, commissioned by the Department of Health, found 74 per cent of the overall population supported the ban.

Nearly two-thirds of the population said the ban would not affect how often they went to the pub. Fifteen per cent said they would go more often.

The new legislation in England 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.

A "shop-a-smoker" complaints hotline will be launched in the summer to encourage people to report any infringements of the new law.

Smokers lighting up in pubs and restaurants will face a fixed penalty of £50.

Owners of licensed premises will face a maximum fine of £2,500.

Wales will bring in its smoking ban from next month, at the same time as Northern Ireland. Scotland became smoke-free last year.

*The smoking ban: essential for public health or an infringement of civil liberties? Have your say below.