Businesses have taken the smoking ban in their stride, it has been claimed, as research reveals 97% of inspected premises were smokefree just two weeks after the new ban.
The figures, issued by the Department of Health, also revealed that almost 80% of businesses were displaying the correct no-smoking signage.
“These figures confirm that, just as happened previously in Ireland then Scotland, England saw very high levels of compliance in the first few days,” said minister of state for public health, Dawn Primarolo.
“All the signs are that businesses and the public have taken the new law in their stride. These high levels of real protection from secondhand smoke in public places and workplaces are a testament to everyone involved.
“Efforts from enforcement officers in local authorities and businesses, especially those in the hospitality sector and also the public have all contributed to making this country a healthier place in which to work and socialise.”
The department of health said local authorities were continuing to work with businesses to ensure they understood the requirement for no-smoking signs to be displayed at the entrance to all public places and workplaces covered by the ban.
Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, chairman of the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services, said the high level of compliance was a testament to ‘the businesses, landlords and members of the public’ who had embraced the new law.
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