Smokefree countdown begins

May 31, 2006

The countdown to going smokefree begins in earnest today.

For it is precisely 12 months until all enclosed work and public places in Liverpool and the rest of England will have to go smokefree under the Government's proposed legislation.

An official date for 'Smokefree Day 2007' has not been announced yet, but campaigners at SmokeFree Liverpool believe it is certain to be May 31 - World No Tobacco Day.

"Until the legislation has been finally approved, there will be no firm dates from the Government, but next summer has always been given as the schedule, and we believe that May 31 is the target date," said Gideon Ben-Tovim, Chair of Central Liverpool PCT and joint Chair of the SmokeFree Liverpool Stakeholder Group.

"That means that there will be growing urgency to put plans in place to deal with the new legislation. This is not something over the distant horizon - it is something that will be a part of our lives by this time next year."

Campaigners across the country are gearing up for a year of intense activity, to inform people about the health risks of second hand smoke and to help businesses put smokefree policies in place, and to be aware of the steps needed to ensure compliance.

SmokeFree Liverpool is officially launching a multi-agency 'Why Wait?' campaign in July, to persuade businesses in the city to go smokefree ahead of legislation, and to help them make a smooth transition.

The campaigners believe that there are advantages for businesses which join the thousands already smokefree - and that the overwhelming majority of people in the city want to see it happen.

Recent evidence from London restaurants which have gone smokefree in anticipation of the legislation shows a pattern of increased profits. And the experience in Scotland, which went smokefree in March, has been overwhelmingly positive, with little opposition to the law.

"We have been inundated with support for the legislation," said Frances Molloy, Director of Health@Work, a partner in SmokeFree Liverpool.

"The people of the city are so strongly behind this campaign that it seems obvious to us that it would make good business sense for many organisations to say 'Why wait for the legislation - we'll go smokefree now'.

"Health@Work has been providing free independent advice and support to businesses to help them put in place smokefree policies over the past two years and we look forward to working with many more businesses over the coming year."

A formal launch of the Why Wait? campaign will take place in July, when it is expected that the Government will announce details of the national implementation, and Liverpool's own Smokefree Bill will be formally withdrawn.

More than 50% of Liverpool businesses are already smokefree; more than 500 premises in the city have received National Clean Air Awards; all Council offices, NHS premises and schools are smokefree.

Businesses can get free support and information about going smokefree from Health@Work on 0151 236 6608.