Smokefree 100-day countdown begins
Released: 23 March 2007
A 100 day countdown to the introduction of new national smokefree legislation got underway in Wolverhampton today.
Wolverhampton City Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Pat Byrne, started the countdown at the Primary Care Trust Stop Smoking Shop in the city centre this morning.
She was joined by stop smoking advisors to highlight that in less than four months, changes will be brought in to ensure that everyone can socialise, relax, travel, shop and work in smokefree surroundings.
From July 1 it will be illegal to smoke in most indoor places other than private homes. This includes restaurants; bars; cafes; hotels; theatres; bingo halls; sports centres; shopping centres; public transport; schools and hospitals. The law also covers workplaces including offices; factories; shops; lorries; vans and other vehicles used for work.
Councillor Byrne said: “There’s now only 100 days to go until the new smokefree legislation is introduced.
“This will create a new experience for customers and staff alike at venues across the city. It will bring a range of benefits including protecting employees and the public from the effects of secondhand smoke.
“We are currently working with Wolverhampton venues in the lead-up to the implementation of the new laws to build understanding of the requirements of the legislation and support them to be ready for the changes.”
Over 7,000 smokefree information packs, including guidelines and leaflets, have been sent to businesses in the city.
The council is also encouraging venues to go smokefree before 1 July. Several have already and the authority is leading by example with Wolverhampton and Bilston indoor market halls becoming no-smoking zones from 1 April.
Councillor Byrne added that there was no better place to highlight these changes and begin the countdown than the Stop Smoking Shop which offers smokers free advice and support to quit the habit.
Dr Adrian Phillips, Director of Public Health for Wolverhampton, said: “Smoking is an extremely costly habit both financially and health-wise. A smoker with a 20-a-day habit will spend about £2,000 a year on cigarettes and will put themselves at increased risk of the three biggest killer diseases - coronary heart disease, cancer and stroke.
“And it’s not just smokers who are affected - people who breathe in secondhand smoke are also at risk of its harmful effects, so kicking the habit is the first step towards improving your health and that of those around you.”
Wolverhampton City Primary Care Trust offers a range of support, advice and a two-week free supply of nicotine replacement therapy (subject to medical history) to people wanting to stop smoking. Drop-in quit smoking sessions are also held across the city and people can visit the Stop Smoking Shop in the link shopping mall between the Wulfrun and Mander centres, opposite The Entertainer toy store. Contact Wolverhampton’s stop smoking service on 0800 073 42 42.
For further information on the new smokefree legislation and how it affects Wolverhampton see Smokefree Wolverhampton.
Issued by the press office.