Making sense of slimming

Over the past year, the whole nation has heard about the government’s plans create smoke free public places and workplaces.

Scotland has been smoke free since 26 March 2006. Wales joined in the party on 2 April and Northern Ireland went smoke free on 30 April. Finally, England will go smoke free on 1 July.

If you’re in charge of premises or vehicles covered by the new law you will have a legal responsibility to ensure they become smoke free.

If you’re a smoker, could the countdown to the new law be a perfect time for you to halt the habit for good?

Be smoke free

The new smoke free law will affect almost everyone, whether they smoke or not. Places required to be smoke free will include pubs, bars, restaurants, cinemas, shopping centres, leisure centres, work vehicles, other enclosed workplaces, and public transport.

Private clubs, such as golf clubs and working men’s clubs, are also included.

There are limited exemptions to cover situations where a place of work is also a person’s place of residence. These include designated rooms in adult residential care homes, hospices and designated hotel bedrooms.

Mental health settings is more complex as they will need to be totally smoke free by 1 July so only have a limited exemption for one year.

If you’re a manager or business owner, it will be your responsibility to display no-smoking signs and ensure that no one smokes in enclosed parts of your premises.

Smokers can be handed £50 on-the-spot fines for breaking the law. And owners can also face fines if they do not attempt to stop smoking.

Why go smoke free?

The reason England is going smoke free is based on public health. Second-hand smoke (or passive smoking) is damaging the health of people who do not smoke themselves.

It causes short-term illnesses like headaches, dizziness and wheezing. Long-term exposure can increase the risk of non-smokers developing heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory disease.

Employers have a legal responsibility to protect the health of their employees. Surveys have shown that around 3 million UK employees are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke and as a result 700 workers are dying each year.

For employers, smoking is not only a serious risk to health but also to productivity. The average smoker takes six 10 minute breaks each day, which amounts to five hours of lost work time each week. Those who are exposed to smoke are more likely to be ill and take time off work. Smoking also increases the risk of fires. This means insurance premiums may be higher.

Stub it out!

Soon there won’t be many places for smokers to light up. So instead of finding ways to dodge the new law, why not quit now and reap the benefits of a healthier, smoke free you?

You won’t have to do it alone or brave it cold turkey - there are many helpful nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) on the market and lots of support and advice available from your GP and NHS stop smoking groups.

So why not read up about the new law and think seriously about quitting? See the links below, or call the NHS Stop Smoking helpline on 0800 169 0169 for help and advice on stubbing out smoking for good.

Further information:

Smoking (Quitting)

Where can I get help with quitting smoking?

How do I stop making excuses to quit?

Find out how much you will save if you quit

Why shouldn’t I smoke around my children?

Is it okay to smoke mild or light cigarettes?

All about the smokefree legislation (Smokefree England)