Blind Tiger changes its stripes for special smokefree night

One of Liverpool's most popular student bars, The Blind Tiger on London Road is to host a special smokefree night on Wednesday, November 23.

Organised by SmokeFree Liverpool the event is the latest in a series of events which have been held in support of Liverpool's drive to become England's first smokefree city.

Co-ordinated by Roy Castle Fag Ends, Chats and Health@Work, a charitable occupational health organisation, the evening comes at a time when the Government is under increased pressure to review its current proposals for England-wide smokefree legislation.

These proposals, which would see some premises such as private members' clubs and those 'wet' pubs which do not serve food exempt from full restrictions, will still jeopardise the lives of workers across the country.

Keith Gorman, SmokeFree Project Manager said: "We are working closely with a number of businesses across Liverpool that are all very willing to put on these smokefree evenings, not only for the benefit of their customers but for their staff as well.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Colin and all the staff at the Blind Tiger for agreeing to participate in this initiative and we believe that it will create a fantastic atmosphere on throughout the day.

SmokeFree Liverpool Programme Director Andrea Crossfield, said: "These events are very important for the issue of smoking in the workplace in the city of Liverpool.

"They aim to raise awareness amongst hospitality managers, workers and the public about the dangers bar and restaurant staff face from exposure to second hand-tobacco smoke."

Miriam Bell, Senior Stop Smoking Advisor at Fag Ends said: We are already supporting staff at the Blind Tiger who want to quit smoking and during the Smokefree event we will have advisors at the Blind Tiger who will be on hand to offer advice and support to anyone wanting to quit smoking. For further information on stopping smoking please call free phone help line 0800-195-2131.

Local CHATs worker Colly Whitty, commented: "Events like this enable the public, customers, staff and performers alike to experience a clean air environment whilst raising awareness of the damage to health caused by smoking; this is a win- win situation for everyone".

ENDS

For further information please contact Darren Nugent at Kenyon Fraser on 0151 706 9993 / 07970 131318

Note to Editors:

1. The SmokeFree Liverpool campaign supports the Liverpool and Merseyside Bills, which was initially delivered to Parliament in October 2004 and has recently undergone its second Parliamentary reading. The Bill is due for consideration by a Lord's committee in the autumn and from there expected to progress to the House of Commons and to be passed into law in the summer of 2006.
2. The legislation is being supported by SmokeFree Liverpool, a partnership between health groups, Heart of Mersey, Liverpool City Council, Health@Work, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, TUC in the North West and the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.
3. Under the Liverpool City Council (Prohibition of Smoking Places in Places of Work) Bill, any individual or business in breach of the new law will face fines of up to £5,000. The legislation is similar to laws already in force in Ireland, New York, Norway and Los Angeles.