No smoking – no problem (From Redhill And Reigate Life)

No smoking – no problem

3:23pm Friday 17th August 2007

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SMOKERS and businesses have adapted well to the smoking ban brought in eight weeks ago, according to the local authority.

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council said it has not served any fixed penalty notices or prosecuted for any non-compliance offences since the country went smoke free on July 1.

A council spokeswoman confirmed there had been a handful of complaints from the public which had been investigated and a few businesses had received further advice on what steps they should take to comply with the law.

More than 700 visits were made by council officers to smoke-free premises last month to check whether businesses were complying with the law.

Cllr Joan Spiers, executive member for enforcement, said: "We are delighted with the response from the borough's business community. The vast majority are aware of their responsibilities to protect staff and the public from smoke and are managing any situation where the law is being flouted.

"Officers have also received numerous positive comments about the law when visiting businesses. The high level of compliance is very pleasing and makes the borough a pleasanter, cleaner place to live and work.

"This just shows that all the promotional and educational work done by environmental health officers in the months leading up to Smokefree on the July 1, 2007, has paid off."

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