Commenting on the announcement, Dr David Walker, Regional Director of Public Health, said:
“I welcome today’s announcement. Smoke free workplaces will have an immediate and lasting beneficial impact on the health of the region’s workforce. A lot of organisations across the region have already banned smoking on their premises on a voluntary basis. The challenge for us now is to assist all employers to comply with the new laws.”
The East Midlands has shown strong support for these changes to be introduced; the Big Smoke Debate, which was held in 2004, received an overwhelming response in favour of smoking restrictions.
Alison Challenger, Chair of the Coalition for a Smoke Free East Midlands, which led that debate, said:
“The move to smoke free work places will mean a major improvement to the working environment for all employees, and will make our bars and restaurants more appealing places for the public to enjoy.”
A Smoke free England campaign which will help the country's 3.7 million businesses including nearly 200,000 pubs, bars, restaurants and other leisure outlets prepare for the implementation of the legislation, has also been launched.
