Businesses go wild for Smokefree Bristol

Release Date:  16-May-2007

Do you know what changes you need to make to your business to comply with Smokefree legislation? Bristol Zoo Gardens will host an event next week aimed at informing businesses about becoming smokefree from July 1, 2007.  200 delegates have signed up to the two sessions to be held from 10am and 2pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2007.

Dr Hugh Annett, Director of Public Health in Bristol said: “From July 1, 2007 all enclosed public places in England will be smokefree including pubs, night clubs, cafes, cinemas, offices, work vehicles and factories.  These seminars will give businesses in the city the opportunity to find out if they are ready for the change and what they need to do to ensure they are complying with law.”

A legal overview will be given in a presentation by a specialist solicitor - Nicola Howell. 

Angela Raffle, Consultant in Public Health in Bristol will talk on the health benefits of smokefree for the workforce and customers, looking specifically at the effects of secondhand smoke. 

A business perspective will be offered by Nigel Hutchings, Regional Affairs Director for Business West, as he outlines the benefits to businesses and  what businesses need to do to make the change.  “The long term effects of smoking, whether participative or passive are well documented and have the potential to cause significant damage to business efficiency. This new legislation is particularly welcomed by the leisure and hospitality sectors, as it is their staff have been subjected the most to smoke inhalation whilst merely fulfilling their duties. However all parts of industry and commerce can benefit from a smoke free environment, and the health of our workforce is of the utmost importance for an efficient and growing economy.”

On the day delegates will have the opportunity to visit stands and talk to a range of experts from the local authority, Police and National Health Service.. Help will also be on hand for businesses wanting to develop smoking policies

Find out about smoking shelters, listed buildings and conservation areas from the Planning Department.  Ask the licensing manager if you’ll need an extension to your license to allow people to smoke at tables outside.  What can you do to prevent smoking litter and can you be prosecuted for litter outside your premises?  What about noise and disturbances created by customers and staff going outside to smoke?  Answers to all these questions and more will be available on the day.

Delegates will also be able to find out about Support to Stop Smoking Services and how to direct staff and customers towards this help.

'Uptake for this event has been extremely positive with virtually all spaces now filled.  A number of smaller workshops are being run in various locations across the city in the run up to the 1st July, and those interesting in attending one of these , or being placed on the reserve list for the zoo event, should contact 0117 922 3838  and ask for the Public Health team. 

Author:  Louise Hudson  Tel. 0117 922 3463 

For all media enquiries relating to this press release, please contact Corporate Communications on 0117 922 2650.

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