Contact:
  • Sue Green
  • Address:
    9-10 Bath Street, Bath, BA1 1SN
  • E-mail:
    sue_green@bathnes.gov.uk
  • Telephone:
    01225 477562
  • Fax:
    n/a
  • Minicom:
    n/a
  • Page Updated:
    21/11/2008
  • Author:
    Ian Roberts
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Business guide to smoke-free

On February 14th, St Valentine's Day, MPs voted to impose a ban on smoking in all enclosed public places.  This move brings England into line with Ireland which went smoke free in March 2004 and Scotland which went smoke-free in March 2006.   What this means:  The legislation will ban smoking in all enclosed public places, a definition which includes all workplaces and work vehicles -  such as pubs, clubs, private members clubs, cafés, offices, shops, shopping centres, restaurants, factories, theatres, bingo halls, church halls, sports centres, schools, hospitals, public and work transport.  Smoke-free means smoking is prohibited anywhere within your building (smoking rooms are therefore not allowed).

10 reasons why you can't lose with smoke-free legislation: 

-       You'll be demonstrating your commitment to the health and wellbeing of your staff & customers

-         increased on-the-job productivity - just think of the cost of all those cigarette breaks!

-        improve working relationships and staff morale, by reducing tensions between smokers and non-smokers

-       a  safer working environment, with reduced sickness and early retirements due to ill health

-        meet health and safety regulations and reduce your risk of litigation

-        have a reduced risk of fire damage, explosions and other accidents related to smoking (and that also means reduced insurance premiums)

-       lower costs for maintenance, cleaning and redecoration, including reduced wear-and-tear on furniture and equipment

 -       have greater appeal to non-smoking customers: Remember 80 per cent of the population don't smoke

-        Worldwide smoke-free policies have been shown to have a positive or neutral impact on trade in bars and restaurants.

-       Smoke-free policies cost less to put in place and enforce than policies allowing smoking

We are here to support local businesses with writing and implementing their smoke-free policies.  It's a free service and we can give advice and support to any business about going smoke-free. For more information please contact Debbie Lear, Smokefree Public Places Officer on 01225 477523, or Sue Green, Health Development Officer on 01225 477562.