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

There have, inevitably, been other consequences arising from people going outside to smoke and businesses need to deal with these. Examples of some of these problems are as follows:

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 was introduced, Gosport Borough Council has seen a small 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 smoking shelter it is likely to need planning permission and this should be checked with the Council’s Planning Department. (planning@gosport.gov.uk)

Signage

All businesses need to display a compliant sign at the main entrance to the premises  stating that "It is against the law to smoke in these premises (or vehicle)". These signs may be obtained from the Council, or can be downloaded from the Smokefree England website.

 Fixed Penalty Notices

 The Council may serve a fixed penalty notice on a person smoking in a smokefree place (or vehicle) requiring the offender to pay a fine of £50 (or £30 if paid within 15 days).

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

For more details please contact the Commercial Team  of Environmental Health on telephone no: 023 9254 5507 or by email at ehs@gosport.gov.uk.