Tuesday 1st July 2008 marks the first anniversary of England going smoke-free. The new law has made virtually all workplaces and public places free from tobacco smoke. Primarily, the aim of the legislation was to protect workers and the general public from exposure to the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.
The Environmental Services team at Cambridge City Council, who enforce and monitor compliance with the Smoke-Free legislation, are pleased to report that almost 100% of smoke-free premises within Cambridge complied with the law for not permitting smoking in their respective establishments.
Whilst the compliance rate for displaying no-smoking signage is lower, officers on routine inspections have gradually increased awareness of the requirement to display the mandatory signage at all external entrances to smoke-free premises. We hope to improve upon these results in coming months by targeting more low-risk businesses such as office buildings and industrial estates.
Breaches of the legislation have been few and far between. On receipt of complaints officers have dealt with offenders in accordance with our Enforcement Policy by way of verbal and written warnings; currently we have issued no Fixed Penalty Notices.
The 1st July also marks the deadline for mental health units to go smoke-free. Presently they are one of the few exemptions to the smoke-free law. Such units have previously allowed patients to smoke in wards, but Tuesday will see an end to this and officers will seek to visit and inspect these wards for compliance with the legislation.
For further advice, provision of no-smoking signage, assistance with producing smoking policies or to report breaches of the law, please contact the lead Smoke-Free Officer, Alex Beebe on (01223) 457880.
Anyone interested in help to stop smoking can get support from Camquit Stop Smoking Service. Camquit is a free NHS service provided by Cambridgeshire Community Services for Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust. Help is available at a range of locations and times across the city. Research shows that someone is four times more likely to successfully quit smoking if they use Camquit. Visit www.camquit.nhs.uk or telephone (01223) 723022 for more information.
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