Why is the legislation being introduced?
Why was the smokefree legislation introduced?
The smokefree law was introduced to protect workers and the general public from the harmful effects of second hand tobacco smoke.
Second hand smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals and 50 of those are known to cause cancer.
Medical and scientific evidence shows that exposure to second hand smoke increases the risk of serious medical conditions such as lung cancer, heart disease, asthma attacks, childhood respiratory disease and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Scientific evidence also shows that ventilation does not eliminate the risks to health of second hand smoke in enclosed spaces. The only way to protect people is to stop them breathing the secondhand smoke in the first place. This is why the Government introduced the smokefree law.
The law was already successfully introduced in Ireland, Scotland and Wales before being implemented in England.
It is estimated that the smokefree legislation will save thousands of lives over the next decade, prevent serious diseases and help make cleaner and healthier enclosed environments for all.
Contact us
Smoke Free Team
Challenge Building
Hatherton Road
Walsall
WS1 1YG
Telephone 01922 652210
This page was last updated on 28 September 2009