Smokefree Gosport – an update

Gosport Borough Council has been working closely with local businesses since the Smokefree legislation came into force on 1 July 2007.

The new law was introduced to protect employees and the public from the harmful effects of send-hand smoke in workplaces and enclosed, or substantially enclosed, public places.

Research funded by Cancer Research UK and organised by the Tobacco Control Collaborating Centre shows that it has been a huge success. Second-hand smoke exposure of bar and restaurant warkers in two Hampshire businesses fell by 95%.

There have, inevitably, been other consequences arising from people going outside to smoke and businesses need to deal with these.

Litter

Councils now have the power to make businesses responsible for the litter outside their premises.

Good practice – businesses should ensure that they have adequate ashtrays or stub bins (which are emptied regularly) and that the area outside their premises becomes part of the daily cleaning programme.

Noise

Since the smokefree law has been introduced, Gosport Borough Council has seen an increase in noise complaints.

Businesses can help to reduce the number of noise complaints they receive about customers smoking outside by using best practice and siting the smoking area away from neighbouring properties. If a business is considering providing some sort of shelter it is likely to need planning permission and should check this with the council’s planning department.

Signage

All businesses need to display a compliant sign at the main entrance to the premises; these may be obtained from the Council.  Failure to display compliant signage may result in a fine or prosecution.

Fixed Penalty Notices

The Council has served one fixed penalty notice in respect of a person smoking in a smokefree place (vehicle) and the offender has paid a £30 fixed penalty within the 15 day time period.

The Smokefree England website has lots more information available and downloadable signage contact: www.smokefreeengland.co.uk

For more details please contact Phillippa Brown, Smokefree Compliance Officer on telephone no: 023 9254 5584 or by email at ehs@gosport.gov.uk.