Working Towards A Smoke-Free Future
Publish Date: Thursday, 09 November 2006
The DHSSPS (Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety) is currently consulting on two sets of draft smoke-free regulations that contain the detailed requirements needed to enable Northern Ireland to go smoke free in April 2007.
The regulations set out details in relation to definitions such as enclosed and substantially enclosed, signage requirements, application to vehicles, penalties, fixed penalties and exemption from smoke-free requirements. The requirements of these regulations, once finalised, will be enforced by local Councils from April 2007.
In the meantime, Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council's Environmental Health Department is working with local businesses to help them prepare for going smoke-free. A local scheme, 'The Smoke-Free Premise Award', recognises employers who implement no smoking policies in the workplace, and is available to those businesses where all parts of the workplace, including areas accessed by the public, are completely smoke-free. This award scheme has been in operation since 2005, and to date there are approximately 30 premises from the Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council area with the award.
If you own a business and would be interested in achieving a smoke free award for your workplace prior to the introduction of the legislation in April 2007, please contact the Council's Environmental Health Department on (028) 8772 0366 for further information.
