Smoke free workplace

Regulations made under the Health Act 2006 came into effect at 6.00am on 1 July 2007. The new laws created the need for a 'smoke free' environment in Public areas and where anyone is at work in an enclosed or substantially enclosed workspace and this includes virtually all enclosed places of work including vehicles. They also required signage at all entrances to enclosed and substantially enclosed areas including businesses that were already smoke free before this date.

The new regulations introduced fixed penalty notices for those who smoke in smoke free areas, those who fail to display the prescribed statutory signs at entrances and fines for those who allow smoking in smoke free areas. There are only very limited exemptions to the need to ensure that enclosed areas are smoke free. The law does not apply to your home, designated hotel rooms, residential or nursing home rooms or non enclosed workplaces. Many businesses went smoke free before these new laws came into effect and many have extend it to all of their premises including outside areas on a voluntary basis.

The smoke free sign regulations state that a statutory smoke free sign must be of A5 size, display the no smoking symbol and contain in characters that can be easily read by persons using the entrance, the words "No smoking. It is against the law to smoke in these premises". The "no smoking symbol" consists solely of a graphic representation of a single burning cigarette enclosed in a red circle of at least 70 millimetres in diameter with a red bar across it

The Act also changed the minimum age for purchasing tobacco to 18 on 1 October 2007.

The Government's objectives through delivering smoke-free legislation were to:

• Reduce the risks to health from exposure to second hand smoke;
• Recognise a person's right to be protected from harm and to enjoy smoke-free air;
• Increase the benefits of smoke-free enclosed public places and workplaces for people trying to give up smoking so that they can succeed in an environment where social pressures to smoke are reduced; and
• Save thousands of lives over the next decade by reducing exposure to hazardous smoke, second hand smoke and overall smoking rates.

To help plan for these new laws the Council contacted every premises in the area (those listed as paying non domestic rates) to advise them to prepare for these changes and where to get more advice. We also wrote to all licensed taxi and private hire operators operating in the area.

Smoke Free Surrey

Smoke Free Surrey is an alliance of all the Surrey Local Authorities and the Surrey Primary Care Trust, who worked together to promote Surrey NHS Stop Smoking Services and coordinate the introduction of smoke free laws in Surrey.

Information on Smoke free Surrey can be accessed at Smoke Free Surrey

Local help for those who want to stop smoking

For those who want to stop smoking you can get advice from the Surrey Stop Smoking helpline on 0845 222 0239 or access advice on the following national website Giving up smoking

You can also find your local NHS Stop Smoking Service by:

• Calling 0800 169 0 169
• Texting GIVE UP with your full postcode to 88088

The local no smoking service promotes four ways to stop smoking:

Doctors surgeries

• People can seek help, support and encouragement from a practice nurse based at their GP centre. They do not need to see their GP, but can ring the Practice Nurses direct at their Doctors' surgery.

Chemists

People can seek help, support, encouragement from a chemist by ringing the local participating chemist directly to arrange a mutually convenient appointment.

There are two in Tandridge:

• Chemitex Pharmacy, 4b The High Street, Caterham, Surrey. Telephone 01883 343305
• Lloyds Pharmacy, 46-48, The Green, Warlingham, Surrey. Telephone 01883 622065

Drop in clinic

People can seek help, support, encouragement from The Drop-In Clinic. It is run by an experienced Stop Smoking adviser and people can visit as often as they wish at The Drop-In Clinic Redhill Help Shop, Cromwell Road, Redhill. On Wednesdays 12 noon-1.30pm. Parking in the Belfry Car Park. No appointments necessary, just go along. One-to-one counselling.

Group support

People can seek help, support and encouragement by attending a stop smoking group. These meet weekly in the evening for six weeks and people are given advice on the best stop smoking aid to help them. Ring 0845 222 0239 to find your nearest group.

Tandridge as an employer

The Council adopted a smoke free workplace policy in October 2006.

Advice on the laws

If you want to know more and read the Regulations go to Smoke Free Advice

Help with compliance

Businesses were advised to register with Smokefree England at Smoke Free Advice to receive updates and information by email.

The Department of Health sent packs containing four of the statutory signs to every registered business

Smoking Shelters

You do not have to provide a smoking shelter, but if you decide to we have prepared the following general advice:

Smoking shelters