Thursday 31st May 2007
(ref:
WLCT64/2007)
It’s 30 days and counting until people across Wigan Borough will be guaranteed to enjoy their leisure time in a smoke free environment.
Leisure Venues, Haigh Hall, sports centres, libraries, the Tourist Information Centre, and all other buildings and staff locations managed by Wigan Leisure Culture Trust will be officially ‘smoke free’ from Sunday 1st July.
From that date virtually all workplaces and enclosed public areas in England will become smoke free by law. Smoking in a designated non-smoking area could result in a £200 fine or a £50 fixed penalty notice.
The new smoke free legislation will have a positive impact on the Trust’s five Leisure Venues, the Monaco Ballroom, Formby Hall, Lowton Civic Hall, Aspull Civic Hall and Ince Public Hall. It means audiences will be able to enjoy comedy shows such as Dave Spikey and theatre such as ‘Once Upon A Time In Wigan’ in a smoke free environment.
Brian Yates, Leisure Venues Manager for Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, said"
“In line with the new legislation we will be ensuring that all of our customers and staff can enjoy a smoke free experience when they use our facilities. Many of our sites, such as our sports centres and staff sites, are already largely smoke free; it is mainly the bar areas and our Leisure Venues that will be affected.
“We will be putting up signs to advise customers about the new smoke free law. The feedback we have had from customers and staff so far has been very positive and it is vital that we work together to improve the health of everyone. We believe having smoke free venues will make the whole experience more enjoyable for our customers.”
Research carried out by the Office of National Statistics suggests that the public are backing the campaign for a ‘smokefree England’:
- 86% support restrictions at work;
- 65% support restrictions in pubs and bars;
- and 93% support restrictions in sports and leisure centres.
At the launch of the national smokefree campaign, Public Health Minister Caroline Flint, said:
“These smoke free measures are supported by the majority of people in this country. The new law will protect everyone from the harm of second-hand smoke at work and in public places, and will save lives.”
For further information about the smoke free campaign in Wigan, contact Wigan Council on 01942 828142 or the smokefreeengland helpline on 0800 169 1697.
Notes To Editors
For further information on this press release please contact Chris Dunbar, Media and Public Relations Manager, on 01942 486937.
Smokefree England
For further information please visit www.smokefreeengland.co.uk (External link)
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and support leisure and cultural facilities, initiatives and events for over 300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough.
Getting Wigan Active
Getting Wigan Active is Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s vision to help people across the Wigan Borough to become more physically, mentally and creatively active. It also aims to increase community activity and to encourage good citizenship.
