23 April 2008
We received a petition asking:
“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Consider ‘Special Exemption Rules’ for public places, so they can provide a ‘Designated Smoking Room’ within that public building, where it is proven that the smoking ban (Smoke Free England - The Health Act 2006) has had a direct and detrimental effect on a given business’s profitability.”
Details of Petition:
“The closure of any business result’s in lost VAT & Tax Revenue, as well as unemployment. Example: Many public places do not have adequate outdoor space for shelters. These businesses are at risk. Business’s situated in rural area’s (a life-line to the local people) are often the only communal gathering venue available. These are at risk. If it is proved that the Act has had a detrimental effect on Turnover and Profitability of any business, that business may be forced to cease trading. A ‘Designated Smoking Room’ that affords a good ventilation system, is completely separate for the non-smoking part of the premises and where staff should not normally be required to work, may be the only viable way forward so that the business can attract more clientele. In these cases, provided it is proved both practical and advantageous for the survival of that individual business, then that business would qualify for the ‘Special Exemption Rule’.”
Read the Government’s response
In preparing the smokefree legislation, we considered the economic impact of taking action on second hand smoke. A Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) was published alongside the Health Bill. The RIA contains estimates of cost and benefits of legislation to end smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces. A copy is available on the Department of Health’s website at www.dh.gov.uk.
It is too early to make a definitive judgement about the overall impact of the smokefree legislation. However, survey data, anecdotal evidence and reports in the media seem to indicate that the impact on the hospitality trade as a whole has been at worst neutral and in many cases positive.
A report on the impact during the first six months following the implementation of the legislation is available on the Smokefree England website at: www.smokefreeengland.co.uk (type ‘latest research’ into the search bar and follow the links to the ‘three month report’). This report summarises details of the public opinion research, business research and compliance data relating to the first three months since smokefree law was introduced on 1 July 2007.
Data indicates there has been a smooth transition to smokefree public places and workplaces in England, with high levels of support from the general public and businesses. Three quarters of adults expressed their support for the law and 79 per cent believe the new law will have a positive effect on people’s health. Specific surveys of businesses indicate that 98 per cent of businesses are complying with the new law, 87 per cent thought implementation had gone well and 91 per cent believe the law will be obeyed.
We will continue to monitor the impact of the smokefree legislation, with a full review due to be completed within three years. We have seen no significant evidence to date that implies that smokefree legislation, either in this country or in others where it has been in place for some years, will create any long-term economic problems for pubs or the hospitality trade in general.
With regard to ventilated smoking rooms, evidence shows that it does not provide a solution to eliminating the health risks of secondhand smoke:
- we know that 85 per cent of secondhand smoke consists of invisible and odourless gases and microscopic particles; and
- research from Ireland has shown that ventilation is not adequate to eliminate the health risk from secondhand smoke.
Further information is available in The Health Effects of Environmental Tobacco Smoke in the Workplace, the joint 2003 report from the Health and Safety Authority and the Office of Tobacco Control in the Republic of Ireland. This can be viewed on the Smokefree England website at:www.smokefreeengland.co.uk/thefacts/reports.html
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