With the new smoke free law now in place and following the encouragement we gave to local businesses to plan ahead, all businesses should now be smoke free. The move to prepare early for going smoke free followed Guildford's Local Strategic Partnership signing a smoke free charter.
From 1st July 2007, all enclosed and substantially enclosed work and public places in England must be completely smoke free by law. As the deadline for going smoke free has now passed all business must have their smokefree signs in place, please take a look at sign your smokefree status.
Businesses have no need to fear the legislation. Over 34% of people surveyed in Guildford and Waverley said that they would use restaurants and cafes more if a law were introduced. This means that businesses could actually benefit from going smoke free.
By now organisations should have their smoke free policy in place, and have identified all enclosed and substantially enclosed work and public areas that must be smoke free. If you still need advice, free policy guidance is available from West Surrey Stop Smoking Service by calling 01483 510460.
Further information including guidance on defining enclosed and substantially enclosed work and public places is available from the following links.
There is a limited supply of free No Smoking signs available in the reception area of the council offices at Millmead. Otherwise you can use the following links to download copies of the required signage for smokefree premises.
You are free to modify the signs as long as they still meet the essential requirements for size and wording, you could change, for example "these premises" to "this pub", or other description as appropriate.
We have also produced a frequently asked questions [PDF] (45k) information sheet on smoke free regulations.
If you own a business that will be affected by this law, and you'd like to establish a smoking shelter or a smoking area outside the main enclosed building, visit our planning pages to find out about applying for planning permission and building regulation approval.
People wanting to quit smoking can also contact the service or visit the Giving up Smoking website (this link opens in a new window) for advice and help.
Anyone who wishes to complain about possible breaches of the smokefree law within Guildford Borough can do so at Smoke complaint.