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New research from the Department of Health¹ shows that although nearly two thirds (68%) of manufacturing businesses are aware of the forthcoming legislation but many are unsure of the detail.

The Government has already launched a major campaign to prepare businesses for the 1^st July, including advertising and a mail-out of guidance to more than a million businesses. A dedicated website has also been set up to help businesses and the public to prepare.

When asked as part of a website poll what people would like to see their smoking room changed into three out of five people said they would like the room to be used for leisure purposes or a chill out room, while one in five said that they would opt for an extra meeting room.

 
More than one in ten (16%) manufacturing businesses realise that they are not yet fully compliant and that they will have to take action before the 1^st July. Although half of businesses are currently no smoking workplaces, even if they are already smokefree businesses will have to take to action by putting up no-smoking signs to meet the requirements of the new law.

Caroline Flint, Public Health Minister said:

“The countdown is now well underway until England goes smokefree. All businesses need to ensure that they know exactly what they need to do before the 1^st July. Closing smoking rooms and making sure that everyone displays the correct signage will play a key part in the smooth introduction of this legislation. Guidance is now available to download and is currently being mailed directly to businesses. We are confident that by working together everyone should be ready in time.”

Ben Wilmott of the Chartered Institute of Personal Development said:

“Businesses need to think carefully about what they need to achieve between now and the 1^st July when they go smokefree. If a business has a smoking room this is a good opportunity to work with staff to ask them what they would like to see the room used for in the future. Having a space which all staff can relax in and enjoy can have a very positive impact on a business, staff morale and productivity.”

The legislation will mean that virtually all enclosed and substantially enclosed public places and workplaces will need to be smokefree, including work vehicles which are used by more than one person.

 
Managers will have legal responsibilities to prevent anyone smoking in smokefree premises and vehicles, and will need to ensure that no-smoking signs are displayed at each entrance to their premises and inside work vehicles.

Through the Smokefree England campaign, the Department of Health has produced a range of guidance and signage to support businesses to prepare for the new law. This is now being mailed to over 1.7m businesses across the country and is available to download from smokefreeengland.co.uk.

To help businesses get ready for the 1^st July 2007 Smokefree England has developed the following action plan

1. Inform staff and customers

• Make all employees and customers and visitors aware of the new law
• You may wish to introduce a smokefree policy to make your employees aware of the new law and how it will affect them

2. Get your signage ready

• Work out how many no-smoking signs you will require – they will need to be displayed at each entrance to your premises and in all smokefree vehicles
• Signage can be downloaded or ordered from smokefreenengland.co.uk/resources or order by calling 0800 169 169 7

3. Close indoor smoking rooms

• By 1 July all enclosed and substantially enclosed areas in your premises will need to be smokefree
• As indoor smoking rooms will no longer be allowed, you may wish to ask staff how they would like see the room used after 1^st July
• If you decide to provide an outdoor smoking shelter or area, you will need to make sure it is not enclosed or substantially enclosed

4. Help staff give up smoking

• For smokers who want to quit, the NHS offers a range of excellent free support including local NHS Stop Smoking Services
• For details of the free services and advice on stopping smoking call the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169 or visit gosmokefree.co.uk

5. Dealing with non-compliance

• You will need to be prepared to take action if someone smokes in any smokefree premises or vehicle that you manage or are responsible for
• If someone is smoking in smokefree premises or work vehicles, draw their attention to the no-smoking signs and politely ask them to stop. You could also point out that they are committing a criminal offence
• If one of your employees continues to smoke, you may wish to consider taking disciplinary action
• If a customer continues to smoke you could ask them to leave your premises