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Gosport Borough Council
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Gosport Borough Council has been working closely with local businesses since the new Smokefree Legislation came into force on the 1st July 2007.  This new law was to protect employees and the public from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke in both the workplace and enclosed and substantially enclosed public places and has been a huge success. Research funded by Cancer Research UK and organized by the Tobacco Control Collaborating Centre showed secondhand smoke exposure by bar and restaurant workers in two establishments in Hampshire had fallen by 95% since the smokefree legislation came into force
Now that the Smokefree legislation has been introduced inevitably there are additional consequences that arise from asking people to go outside to smoke. These consequences involve a number of issues that businesses need to take on board and deal with.
 

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 Jones, Smokefree Compliance Officer on telephone no: 023 9254 5584 or by email at ehs@gosport.gov.uk.
For further information please call (023) 9254 5505, 5506 or 5507 during office hours or call at the Town Hall, High Street, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 1EB.
Alternatively e-mail ehs@gosport.gov.uk any time.