Many people know that from Sunday 26 March the law on smoking in Scotland will change. And North Lanarkshire Council’s environmental health team has been implementing its action plan in a bid to advise businesses and keep them informed of what this new legislation will mean for them.

The council’s proactive approach, and the roll out of its action plan is ensuring that the people of North Lanarkshire understand the conditions of the ban and how to adhere to these.

One of the first events hosted by the council’s environmental health team was a series of well-attended free information roadshows. These took place across North Lanarkshire and were set up to help local businesses get ready for the smoking ban. It gave businesses an opportunity to find out first-hand how the new legislation will affect them, and the chance to speak to environmental health officers who provided advice on the day. Free information packs were also given out at the events.

In addition to the information roadshows, inspections are also taking place and initially have been targeted to those premises most ‘at risk’, however, these inspections will quickly be rolled out to cover all premises affected by the ban. High-risk premises refer to those where there are large numbers of people present or where there are no pre-existing smoking controls. Already around 260 of these premises have been visited by environmental health officers.

And once the ban comes into force, officers will continue with visits and will be out-and-about to monitor compliance.

"The Scottish Parliament has passed new legislation to protect people from the harmful effects of passive smoking," explained Robert Steenson, Environmental Health Manager. "And it is the role of environmental health to ensure that premises are complying with the legislation. Environmental health staff are giving proactive advice and plan to continue their visits and cover a further 600 premises.

"Our proactive inspections will confirm compliance, but reactive inspections will also be organised in the event of complaints being received. Officers may undertake these inspections openly or covertly. Where non-compliance is a serious issue, enforcement action may be taken.

"If non-compliance is the result of failure to enforce the ban by premises owners, occupiers or managers, it is those owners, occupiers or managers who are liable for a fine. Where it is the result of people refusing to accept the ban, and every effort has been made to enforce it by those responsible for the premises, the individual is liable for a fine.

"The council will be concentrating on fair, proportional and consistent enforcement action, and on the personal safety of our enforcement officers. We hope that businesses and residents comply with the ban."

A smoke-free compliance line is being set up by the Scottish Executive and will be in place from Sunday 26 March. The telephone number is 0845 130 7250 which will be in operation from 12 noon to 12 midnight, seven days a week, including public and bank holidays. Details of any reports of incidents in North Lanarkshire will be forwarded on to the council’s Customer Contact Centre and will be followed up by environmental health officers. Reports can also be made to North Lanarkshire Council direct on 01698 403150.

"North Lanarkshire Council is working with the Scottish Executive, the local police and the people and businesses of the area to make North Lanarkshire a successful, smoke-free zone", added Robert.

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