Protecting the Slough air we breathe
Slough Borough Council is running smokefree bus posters advertising its free hotline number, in the run up to Smokefree England this weekend.
The adverts will run for three months, helping to circulate the smokefree message across the borough.
The main purpose of the smokefree law is to protect employees and the public from the effects of second-hand smoke, which can cause heart disease, lung cancer, sudden infant death syndrome and asthma attacks.
Dympna Molloy, head of neighbourhood enforcement for Slough Borough Council, said: “The smokefree law will be enforced by specially trained staff in Slough who have also been briefed on how to relate to smokers who may find it hard not to light up in public places, such as pubs.
“We have had many positive remarks from the public about this law, but I would like to stress, as always, that it is not a ban on smoking in general, just in enclosed places such as restaurants and within the work place.”
Cllr John Edwards, commissioner for Slough public protection, said: “This is a very encouraging move for Slough and will benefit the health of thousands of people.
“It will be tough for many but help is at hand and the council is very conscious of this. Smokers should not be targets, but it is important that everyone can go out and not have to breathe in others smoke.”
The new legislation will cover all enclosed and substantially enclosed public places and workplaces, including shops, offices, factories, pubs, restaurants, public transport, and work vehicles that are used by more than one person. Indoor workplace smoking rooms will also disappear so anyone wishing to smoke will have to go outside instead.
Smokefree Slough is part of Slough Borough Council’s cleaner, safer, greener campaign which will be launched at the Big Green Day Out this Saturday, June 30.
One of the council’s pledges to the residents of Slough is to ‘protect the air you breathe’. By enforcing the new smokefree law, the council will be helping residents to breathe in clean air when they are out and about in enclosed public spaces and socialising in pubs and clubs.
Slough Borough Council