No butts: Greenwich has been smokefree for 1 year
Greenwich, along with the rest of England, has now been smoke-free for a year. This is following the introduction of the biggest public health change for fifty years.
Local councils have been at the forefront of implementing smoke-free law in England. On Sunday 1 July 2007 the Health Act 2006 came into force, preventing people from smoking in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces including pubs, cafes, restaurants, shops, offices, work vehicles used by more than one person and public transport.
Law has been well received
In Greenwich, the introduction of the smokefree law has been embraced by businesses and the general public.
Many Greenwich businesses have used the introduction of the smoke-free law as an opportunity to develop their services in other areas and are now enjoying the benefits of attracting new clientele to a cleaner, healthier, smokefree environment.
Find out about making your business smoke-free.
In the nine months from July 2007 to March 2008, Council officers inspected more than 2,000 premises and vehicles. Of these, more than 99% complied with the regulations and more than 91% were displaying the correct signage.
Officers found the law quickly became self-enforcing and only in a very small minority of cases has it been necessary for the Council to take any action.
Credit to local businesses
Cllr Maureen O’Mara, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, with responsibility for community safety and licensing, said: "This is a great credit to the amount of information sent directly to businesses by the Council prior to July 2007, and to Greenwich businesses for their support of the introduction of this measure to protect their workers and the general public from exposure to the harmful effects of second hand smoke."
30 June 2008