|
|
 |
| |
Smokefree officer Janice Gibbons with Narrow Boat pub owner Patrick Mulligan |
Smoking ban ‘army’ hits streets
Officers on patrol to make sure new laws on lighting-up are observed in public places
AS the smoking ban nears the end of its first week, over-spilling ashtrays and reeking sofas are already a distant memory.
But how has tobacco-mad Islington, where one in three adults smoke, taken the ban?
The Tribune went out on the streets with Islington’s Smokefree Team on Wednesday to talk to the officers and public on either side of the smoke screen.
“We’re not going out heavy handed with the ban,” said council service manager and smokefree officer Janice Gibbons. “But there is a big army of eyes and ears making sure the rules aren’t broken.”
This “army” consists of a core team of nine smokefree officers – the most of any London borough – who have visited 1,200 premises since Sunday, stubbing out the wheezing pockets of resistance.
The team has been criticised for its predominantly nine-to-five work hours tackling an evening problem, but Ms Gibbons said the “softly softly” approach of raising awareness had been “incredibly successful so far”.
She added: “This is just the first step. There will be a point where we shall have to go down the enforcement route.”
When it stops raining there will be the further issue of mounting street rubbish, with the numbers of discarded cigarette butts and chewing gum expected to rise sharply.
But overall, the response to the new laws seemed generally positive.
Patrick Mulligan, owner of the Narrow Boat pub in St Peter’s Street, said the change over to non-smoking had been easy, and that none of the customers had tried to light up yet.
Even the smokers, huddled together under the dripping pub awnings, seemed content.
“I think smokers should still have rights. It’s part of our culture,” exhaled Hannah Stockham outside the Camden Head in Camden Passage. “But as long as you’ve got an area to smoke then it’s all right. In fact, it’s quite nice to be outside with the other smokers.”
Whether they are still saying that in December remains to be seen.
Cllr John Gilbert, executive member for health and social services, Islington Council, said: “When people smoke they not only put their own health at risk but also the health of those around them. That’s why the law has changed to require every employer to do everything in their power to prevent smoking on their premises.
“This is a real opportunity to improve the health of our community and put an end to the suffering smoking causes.
“We also want to help premises with the transition – preparation is the key to success.
“That’s why we’ve been working with thousands of businesses over the last year, helping them with the change. For example, by advising them on how they can manage outdoor smoking areas to prevent problems with noise and litter.
“Our enforcement officers will visit premises in the early weeks to check employers, employees and customers are following the law.” |
 |
|
| |
| Your Comments: |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
