No-smoking law set for July 2007 start

News | HSW
01.08.2006

England's workplace smoking ban is likely to be delayed slightly next year due to pressure from pub operators. Ministers had previously favoured a May start date for the near-total prohibition of smoking in enclosed public places but are now believed to have approved a move to July in response to lobbying by the big pub and bar chains.

Despite the expected delay, the Department of Health took another step towards the ban last month with the publication of the draft regulations to enforce it. The proposed regulations follow closely those that have been in force in Scotland since March this year, with some minor variations, including as allowing smoking on stage during theatrical performances.

Anti-smoking campaign groups such as ASH and QUIT broadly welcomed the detail of the regulations. ASH spokesperson Ian Willmore noted that in some cases those drafting the English regulations had adopted a stricter line than expected on exceptions to the ban, such as restricting the exemption for residential accommodation in mental health units to units where patients are likely to stay longer than six months.

Campaigners say the draft falls short only in that the government is not proposing to exercise its power under the Health Act to restrict smoking in sports stadia and on railway and bus station concourses. "That will be our most likely attempt to improve the thing," said Willmore.

When the ban starts, all employers must put up signs at workplace entrances stating that it is against the law to smoke on the premises and will face fines of up to £2,500 if they fail to stop employees smoking in their buildings.

The Welsh Assembly is consulting on proposed regulations similar to those in England and Scotland, and Northern Ireland's ban comes into force in April 2007.