Smoke clears to show tobacco-ban success

ALAN HIGGINS

IT is a year since the smoking ban was introduced in England and almost 100 per cent of Oldham businesses are now tobacco-free.

The Health Act 2006 banned lighting up in any covered public place in a bid to cut the number of deaths from smoking-related diseases and to reduce the effects of passive smoking.

Public health co-ordinator Richard Pollitt said: “Oldham businesses and residents have reacted positively to the smoke-free legislation.

“The council has carried out more than 3,000 inspections of business premises and there has been a compliance figure of more than 97 per cent.”

More than 60 £50 fixed-penalty notices for breaching the legislation have been given out by council officers to people found to be smoking in enclosed public areas, workplaces and vehicles.

Late-night enforcement visits to licensed premises, where smoking was being allowed indoors, have resulted in several legal cases.

Figures show that the ban provides a great incentive to help people to quit and there is a wide variety of help on offer for people who want to stop smoking.

Oldham Community Health offers free support to all people who live or work in the borough.

Alan Higgins, director of public health for Oldham, said: “I think most people feel that businesses and enclosed public places going smoke-free has been of real benefit and is protecting people from the adverse health effects associated with breathing second-hand tobacco smoke.

“It will be a big step forward in helping to improve the health of people in Oldham.”

If you would like help to stop smoking, call an adviser on 0800-328 8534 or visit www.nhs.uk/gosmokefree