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Enforcers back 'popular' smoking ban
The local authority health and safety enforcement staff policing England's new smoking ban could need protection in carrying out their duties, public sector union UNISON has said. Speaking ahead of the ban taking affect on 1 July, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: 'Smoke free public places will be healthier and will help persuade people against smoking in the first place. But government and council employers will need to invest in, and protect, staff enforcing the new laws in potentially volatile situations. And employers will need to provide help for those who want to pack it in.' UNISON represents some 850,000 workers in local government including staff charged with advising and enforcing on the ban. Graham Jukes, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), the professional body for these enforcement officers, said: 'This legislation is popular and the requirements are simple. Any reasonable person will find it easy to comply. In time it will become just another routine requirement for running a safe and healthy business.' He added: 'Enforcement tools available to local authorities will only be used where there are clear and persistent offences.' New health secretary Alan Johnson said: 'The smoking ban in England is the 'single most important public health legislation for a generation.'
Briefing document (300 words) issued 6 Jul 2007
