| 10 August 2007
Most pubs, hotels and restaurants in England are abiding by the ban on smoking in enclosed public places, according to figures from the Department of Health.
The data shows 97 per cent of the 88,899 premises visited in the first two weeks of the legislation were smoke-free. Enforcement officers found 79 per cent were displaying the correct no-smoking signage.
Compliance was even higher in work vehicles, with 98 per cent smoke-free and 84 per cent correctly signed.
‘When we introduced the smoke-free law last month, we predicted that it would be largely self-enforcing based on experience elsewhere and the fact that three-quarters of the public supported the move,’ said Dawn Primarolo, public health minister.
The figures confirm, she said, that there have been very high levels of compliance, just as there was in Ireland and Scotland.
‘These high levels of real protection from second-hand smoke in public places and workplaces are a testament to everyone involved.
‘Efforts from enforcement officers in local authorities and businesses, especially those in the hospitality sector and also the public have all contributed to making this country a healthier place in which to work and socialise,’ she added.
During the first two weeks of inspections, the data shows, it was only necessary to issue one fixed penalty notice to an individual wilfully flouting the law by smoking in a smoke-free place.
Smokefree England received 2,342 calls during the first four weeks. Calls peaked during the first week at 1,024 but only 378 calls were received during the week of 22 July.
Graham Jukes, CIEH chief executive, said: ‘The acceptance of the new law reveals the good planning and investment put in place by the Department of Health, local authorities and business leaders in the run up to 1 July.
‘The CIEH is proud to have played a key role in the implementation of what has turned out to be popular legislation with a limited need for enforcement action to be taken.’
Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, chair of the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services, praised EHOs and said they had carried out their work with a light touch, an even hand, and a commitment to advising people rather than to punishing them.
© 2007 Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
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