On 1 July 2007, Lewisham will go smokefree. This will mean that no-one will be able to smoke in any enclosed public place within the borough. This new legislation will affect Lewisham’s residents, customers, employees, visitors and business owners, who will no longer be able to smoke (or permit smoking) in any public place including:
- bars
- pubs
- cafés
- clubs
- factories
- restaurants
- shops
- offices/workplaces.
Places you can not smoke - YouTube advert.
New legislation
This new legislation is not actually unfamiliar to anyone who works for Lewisham Primary Care Trust or Lewisham Council, both of whom introduced smokefree environments in all of their workplaces over a year ago.
However, it is the first time that a widespread ban on smoking will come into effect throughout the whole of England. Other UK countries who have already gone smokefree include Scotland in March 2006 and most recently Northern Ireland and Wales who both went smokefree in April 2007.
The new law will affect all ‘enclosed’ or ‘substantially enclosed’ public areas. This covers anywhere that is deemed to have a ceiling or roof (fixed or moveable) and has a permanent or temporary opening in the walls which is less than half of the total area of the walls. This even includes some bus shelters, tents and marquees!
The dangers of passive smoking
It is a well known fact that exposure to passive smoking (or breathing in second-hand smoke) can have detrimental health effects for many people.
In adults, second-hand smoke increases the risk of lung cancer by 20 to 30% and the risk of coronary heart disease by 25 to 35%.
Pregnant women, people with existing cardiovascular disease and those with asthma and other respiratory disorders are particularly vulnerable.
It is estimated that with the new legislation, which is part of the Health Act 2006, thousands of people’s lives will be saved and the health of thousands more protected from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke when working, socialising and relaxing.
What about you?
If you are a smoker and live in Lewisham why not use 1 July as your opportunity to quit smoking and go smokefree?
Alternatively, if your run or own a business in Lewisham and have any queries about the new law call our Smokefree team on 020 8314 6400 where we can arrange for an advisor to visit your premises with help and advice in complying with the new legislation.
For further information on smokefree legislation visit Smokefree England.